Definition of irreparable rotator cuff tear: a scoping review of prospective surgical therapeutic trials to evaluate current practice

A therapeutic assessment of tranexamic acid on functional recovery after rotator cuff repair surgery: A study of early and mid-term follow-up

Purpose

To perform therapeutic assessment of tranexamic acid on functional recovery after rotator cuff repair surgery in terms of early and mid-term follow up.

Methods

From December 2021 to April 2023, a total of 40 patients with rotator cuff injury were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups with equal number of patients, and all patients received shoulder arthroscopic surgery before receiving either tranexamic acid or normal saline managements. Patients in the experimental group, group A, treated with 2g tranexamic acid (diluted with normal saline to 20ml) via intra-articular injection, while patients in the control group (group B) received 20ml normal saline management. The whole process was conducted in accordance with randomized double-blind controlled trials. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively via American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, a UCLA shoulder rating, a CONSTANT score, and visual analog scale (VAS). Early and mid-term follow-up were performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.

Results

The ASES score and CONSTANT score at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation in the tranexamic acid group were higher than those in the normal saline group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the UCLA score at 3 months and 6 months after operation in the tranexamic acid group was higher than that in the normal saline group (p < 0.05). In addition, the muscle strength score and external rotation value at 6 months after operation in the tranexamic acid group and normal saline group were higher than those in the normal saline group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups at each observation cut-off point (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Injection of tranexamic acid after rotator cuff repair surgery plays an positive role on the recovery of patients muscle strength and tone as well as shoulder flexibility. Therapeutic assessment demonstrates the favorable clinic efficacy either early or mid-term follow-up.

Shoulder balloon spacer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears results in significant improvements

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of balloon implantation in patients with irreparable supraspinatus tears alone or in combination with other rotator cuff (RC) tendon tears and the effect of several covariables, such as age, gender, status of the long head biceps, with or without tendon repair and regardless the number of tendon involved.

METHODS

Patients enrolled from 'San Carlo' Hospital of Potenza (Italy, IT), from January 2012 to September 2014, underwent arthroscopic implantation of shoulder balloon by a single surgeon, and followed for 3 years. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant score (CS) were administered pre-, post-operatively at 12 months, and then annually. Patients were classified on the basis of the number of tendons involved in the tears and treatment performed, considering the reparability of the tendons themselves. Gleno-humeral joint osteoarthrosis (OA) was evaluated through shoulder radiographs and classified according to the Samilson-Prieto classification, at the first examination and at the final follow-up. Statistical improvements were evaluated using a variance model (least-squares means) and a T distribution test for the evaluation between different treatment groups.

RESULTS

A total of 61 procedures were performed, and eight patients were lost during follow-up. The mean baseline CS was 30.2 ± 15.4 with statistically significant improvement, respectively, at 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up to 69.3 ± 4.2, 74.6 ± 3.6 and 69.7 ± 5.1 respectively. ASES score at baseline was 22.5 ± 10.9, with a statistically significant improvement to 69.7 ± 9.2, 68 ± 17.8 and 71.2 ± 16.6 at 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up, respectively. Tenotomy or absence of long head biceps at presentation did not influence results (n.s.), with no difference according to gender and age. At final follow-up, 24 patients (43.9%) showed progression of glenohumeral OA. One patient required secondary surgery for shoulder replacement after 18 months for persistent pain and one patient required implant removal following post-operative laser treatment.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic rotator cuff tears repair with subacromial spacer balloon implantation showed statistically significant clinical and functional improvement at 3-year follow-up. Patients treated with combined partial repair and subacromial spacer balloon implantation experienced good results independent of gender, age, type of tear and long-head biceps tendon status. The risks related to this procedure appear to be minimal.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopic Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer Using Achilles Tendon Allograft for Isolated, Irreparable Infraspinatus Musculotendinous Tear Is Durable

Tendon transfers represent a reconstructive option for irreparable rotator cuff tears and certain neurologic deficiencies. Arthroscopically assisted lower trapezius tendon (aLTT) transfer using Achilles tendon allograft is effective in restoring external rotation and relieving excessive loading on the teres minor. It has shown good results in patients with brachial plexus injuries and posterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears. Isolated infraspinatus musculotendinous tears present distinct characteristics compared with other rotator cuff tears, as these lesions cause rapid atrophy and significant fatty infiltration within the muscle, making direct surgical repair less feasible. Tears of the infraspinatus tendon usually are associated with other rotator cuff injuries but can be isolated injuries, and tear at the musculotendinous junction of the tendon is a less common. Existing literature predominantly focuses on nerve-related causes of infraspinatus deficiency, such as in Parsonage-Turner syndrome or suprascapular nerve entrapment, which may be secondary to ganglion cysts along the nerve's path as well as other space-occupying lesions like tumors or vascular malformations. Infraspinatus muscle tendon injuries also can result from steroid injections and lead to severe pain and weakness during external rotation. Primary repair of the tear is a first choice if nonsurgical treatment is unsuccessful and if tear morphology and fatty infiltration allow. However, repair has a low success rate because of the aforementioned features. For older, low-demand patients, subacromial debridement or the use of a biodegradable subacromial balloon spacer can provide pain relief and functional improvement. In younger, more active patients, aLTT transfer using Achilles tendon allograft, although technically demanding and uncommonly performed, is a durable solution for this pathology when glenohumeral osteoarthritis and joint arthropathy are absent, offering sustained benefits at midterm follow-up. Other alternatives include latissimus dorsi tendon transfer, lower trapezius transfer (which may be biomechanically superior to latissimus dorsi tendon transfer), and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. We thus consider aLTT to be a strong option for the right patient, performed by a skilled surgeon who can execute the procedure properly.

A combined anterior and posterior cuff transfer: a novel technique for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears

INTRODUCTION

Irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs) are large tears that can't be surgically repaired due to poor tissue quality, degeneration, or severe tendon retraction. These tears often involve multiple tendons and lead to fatty infiltration, humeral head migration, and tendon retraction. Patients with IRCTs typically present with pseudoparalysis, muscle atrophy, or anterosuperior escape. While various surgical options exist, outcomes are often inconsistent. This case series presents a novel technique for managing massive IRCTs, showing excellent, consistent results and offering a promising advancement for treating these challenging cases.

METHODOLOGY

Our case series involved 20 patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, presenting clinically with pseudoparalysis and radiographically with signs of fatty infiltration, anterosuperior escape, and tendon retraction. The outcomes of interest included the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORI), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and range of motion arc (forward flexion and abduction), measured both preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patient cohort was 53.6 years, with a mean follow-up time of 40 months. The mean preoperative WORI score was 155.3, which improved to 54.2 postoperatively, showing an improvement of 101 points from the baseline. The mean preoperative OSS was 34.4, improving to 10.5 postoperatively, with a gain of 23.8 points. The mean preoperative range of motion for forward flexion was 67.0°, which improved to 164° postoperatively, resulting in a mean gain of 97°. The mean preoperative abduction was 57°, which improved to 166° postoperatively, with a mean gain of 109°. All these findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In our surgical technique, all patients demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in both range of motion and patient-reported outcomes. This makes our approach a novel, robust, and reliable technique for managing massive irreparable tears, particularly in young adult patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case Series, Level IV.

Engineered Tendon-Fibrocartilage-Bone Composite With Mechanical Stimulation for Augmentation of Rotator Cuff Repair: A Study Using an In Vivo Canine Model With a 6-Month Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff repair augmentation using biological materials has become popular in clinical practice to reduce the high retear rates associated with traditional repair techniques. Tissue engineering approaches, such as engineered tendon-fibrocartilage-bone composite (TFBC), have shown promise in enhancing the biological healing of rotator cuff tears in animals. However, previous studies have provided limited long-term data on TFBC repair outcomes. The effect of mechanical stimulation on TFBC has not been explored extensively.

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional outcomes after rotator cuff repair with engineered TFBC subjected to mechanical stimulation in a 6-month follow-up using a canine in vivo model.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

A total of 40 canines with an acute infraspinatus (ISP) tendon transection model were randomly allocated to 4 groups (n =10): (1) unilateral ISP tendon undergoing suture repair only (control surgery); (2) augmentation with engineered TFBC alone (TFBC); (3) augmentation with engineered TFBC and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) (TFBC+C); and (4) augmentation with engineered TFBC and BMSCs, as well as mechanical stimulation (TFBC+C+M). Outcome measures-including biomechanical evaluations such as failure strength, stiffness, failure mode, gross appearance, ISP tendon and muscle morphological assessment, and histological analysis-were performed 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

As shown in the mechanical test, the TFBC+C+M group exhibited higher failure strength compared with other repair techniques. The most common failure mode was avulsion fracture in the TFBC+C+M group, but tendon-bone junction rupture was observed predominantly in different groups. Engineered TFBC with mechanical stimulation showed over 70% relative failure strength compared with normal ISP, and the other groups showed about 50% relative failure strength. Histological analysis revealed less fat infiltration and closer-to-normal muscle fiber structure in the mechanical stimulation group.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that mechanical stimulation of engineered TFBC promotes rotator cuff regeneration, thus supporting its potential for rotator cuff repair augmentation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides valuable evidence supporting the use of a novel tissue-engineered material (TFBC) in rotator cuff repair and paves the way for advancements in the field of rotator cuff regeneration.

Short-term efficacy of open surgery versus arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in moderate rotator cuff tears

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of open versus arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in treating moderate rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 68 patients diagnosed with moderate rotator cuff tears and who were treated surgically at Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics and Traumatology from September 2021 to April 2023. Patients were categorized based on the surgical methods they received: the minimally invasive group (MIG, n=37, undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair) and the open surgery group (OSG, n=31, undergoing open rotator cuff repair). Operative indicators, perioperative and follow-up pain intensity, shoulder joint scores, range of motion, and complication incidence were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the factors affecting prognosis were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The MIG had shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay, smaller incision length, and less intraoperative blood loss than the OSG (all P<0.05). At 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, the MIG reported significantly lower Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and higher Constant-Murley scores compared to the OSG (all P<0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the MIG exhibited higher University of California-Los Angeles scores and Constant scores, as well as greater forward flexion, abduction, and lateral rotation angles than OSG (all P<0.05). The incidence of complications was lower in the MIG compared to the OSG (P<0.05). The binomial logistic regression analysis identified surgical approach as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for patients with rotator cuff tears involves minimal trauma and allows for rapid postoperative recovery. Additionally, the procedure helps restore shoulder joint function and improve the range of motion, offering promising clinical applications.

Factors associated with reparability of rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To identify and quantify the factors associated with the reparability of rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for clinical studies published in English focusing on RCT reparability by using the keywords "rotator cuff tear" and "reparability". A meta-analysis was conducted if ≥3 studies examined the same factor and provided enough data to assess RCT reparability. Quality assessment was completed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies (2700 patients) were enrolled and 26 factors were included in the meta-analysis. The dichotomous variables associated with irreparability were Patte stage 3 (odds ratio (OR): 8.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.3-14.9), massive tear vs. large tear (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3-7.2), Goutallier stage for each tendon, and tangent sign (OR: 11.1, 95% CI: 4.3-28.4). The continuous variables associated with irreparability were age (mean difference (MD): 3.25, 95% CI: 1.4-5.1), mediolateral tear size (MD: 12.3, 95% CI: 5.8-18.9), anteroposterior tear size (MD: 10.4, 95% CI: 5.2-15.6), acromiohumeral distance on X-ray (MD: -2.3, 95% CI: -3.0 to -1.6) and magnetic resonance imaging (MD: -1.8, 95% CI: -2.8 to -0.9), and inferior glenohumeral distance on magnetic resonance imaging (MD: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that older age, larger tear size, severe fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and advanced superior migration of the humeral head were strongly associated with irreparable RCTs. Conversely, clinical symptoms provided limited information for predicting reparability. Additionally, the tangent sign emerged as a powerful and simple tool for individual prediction, and several quantitative scoring systems also proved useful.

Long head of biceps tendon augmentation for massive rotator cuff tears improves clinical results regardless of the number of tendons involved

PURPOSE

Management of massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) remains debated, and various arthroscopic and open techniques have been described for their management. Nevertheless, the optimal strategy remains unclear. The present study evaluated the clinical results in patients managed arthroscopically for MRCTs augmented with the long head biceps tendon (LHBT) at a minimum 1-year follow-up, considering different type of tears, demographic data and number of torn tendons.

METHODS

Patients treated in a secondary referral centre from January 2021 to April 2022 were enroled prospectively. Inclusion criteria were pain, inability to fully elevate the affected shoulder, irreparable tears and active and motivated patients. All patients were managed within 2 months from diagnosis in a single centre by the same surgeons. Preoperative shoulder radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected, and clinical assessment was also performed using the Numerical analogue scale (NAS), Constant score (CS) American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES). Tissue retraction and tendon fatty infiltration were evaluated using Patte and Fuchs scale, respectively. Clinical assessment was performed using the same scales at 3-6 months and 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 55 patients (31 female and 24 male) with a mean age of 60 ± 7.1 years were enroled for a mean follow-up of 18.2 ± 4.3 months. The mean preoperative NAS was 7.8 ± 0.6, CS was 20.5 ± 7.6 and ASES was 22.6 ± 9.2, increasing, respectively, to 0.3 ± 0.6, 91.5 ± 6.9 and 94.2 ± 6.7. No adverse side effects (infection, rejection, allergy) were reported during the study period. All patients were evaluated after surgery at 3 and 6 months and 1 year with statistically significant improvement for each score at the first and last follow-up (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of LHBT augmentation in patients with MRCTs in appropriately selected patients is safe and effective and can lead to pain relief and acceptable clinical outcomes. Furthermore, its use carries low donor site morbidity and is cost effective. Comparative studies, including randomised controlled trials, with other proposed techniques are needed to confirm these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

A modified Patte classification system for rotator cuff tendon retraction to predict reparability and tendon healing in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to propose a modified Patte classification system for tendon retraction, including the cut-off points for predicting reparability and rotator cuff healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and assess its prediction accuracy and measurement reliability.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 463 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo ARCR for full-thickness supraspinatus tears. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off points for predicting reparability and tendon healing. The modified Patte classification system, in which these cut-off points were combined with the original Patte classification, classified the tendon retraction as stages I-V. The prediction accuracy of reparability and tendon healing was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC). Measurement reliability was determined using Cohen's κ statistics.

RESULTS

Of the 402 included patients, 32 rotator cuff tears were irreparable and 71 of the remaining 370 were diagnosed with healing failure. ROC analysis determined the cut-off point of reparability at the medial one-fifth and that of tendon healing at the medial one-third of the humeral head. The AUC of the modified Patte classification for predicting reparability and tendon healing was 0.897 (excellent) and 0.768 (acceptable), respectively. Intra-rater reliability was almost perfect (mean κ value: 0.875), and inter-rater reliability was substantial (0.797).

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic performance of the modified Patte classification system was excellent for reparability and acceptable for rotator cuff healing, with high measurement reliability. The modified Patte classification system can be easily implemented in clinical practice for planning surgical procedures and counselling patients in the day-by-day clinical work.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Up to date diagnosis and treatment of massive irreparable cuff tears: Results of the survey of the U45 ESSKA Committee

PURPOSE

Irreparable rotator cuff tears are disabling and can severely affect daily life activities, especially when young and active patients are involved. The definition is still debated, and they can have several clinical presentations. The treatment depends on the clinical presentation and the patient's age.

METHODS

The survey was developed by the ESSKA U45 Committee and was uploaded on the ESSKA website. Fifty-seven questionnaires were returned. Several aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of massive irreparable cuff tears were investigated. Moreover, treatment options for specific clinical scenarios were given for posterior-superior and anterior-superior cuff tears in young and old patients.

RESULTS

Fatty degeneration of the muscles was the most common criterion to define an irreparable tear (59.7%). In young patients with external rotation with the arm at side lag, partial repair of the cuff was the most common option (41.8%); in case of external rotation with the arm at side + external rotation at 90° of abduction lag without pseudoparalysis, the most common option was partial repair of the cuff + latissimus dorsi or lower trapezius transfer (39.3%), and in case of external rotation with the arm at side + external rotation at 90° of abduction lag with pseudoparalysis, partial repair of the cuff + latissimus dorsi or lower trapezius transfer was still the most common option (25.5%). The same scenarios in old patients yielded the following results: reverse prosthesis (49.1%), reverse prosthesis (44.6%) and reverse prosthesis ± latissimus dorsi or lower trapezius transfer (44.6%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present survey clearly confirms that biological options (partial cuff repairs and tendon transfers) are the reference in the case of young patients with deficient cuffs (both posterior and anterior). Reverse shoulder prosthesis is the most common treatment option in old patients in all clinical scenarios.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.