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[Ultrasonographic evaluation of the rotator cuff after its surgical reconstruction].

The aim of this paper was to evaluate ultrasonographic picture of rotator cuff integrity after surgical reconstruction performed in 34 patients with mean follow-up 17.2 months (range 6-45 months). The lack of rotator cuff echo or hypoechogenic area were the criteria for diagnosis of re-tear. This occurred in 16% of shoulders with isolated supraspinatus tear and in 33.3% of shoulder with 2 tendons involved. Hyperechogenic changes were noted in 35.3% of shoulders, some thinning of the rotator cuff in 23.5%, while both of these changes in 14.7%. The thinning of the rotator cuff was classified as pathologic if there was difference between diameter of rotator cuff measured in 6th to 8th postoperative week and diameter measured at the time of follow-up. Ultrasonographic examination offers critical evaluation of both surgical result and postoperative physical therapy protocol.

Adult↗

Passive tension and gap formation of rotator cuff repairs.

The objectives of this study were to quantify the relationship between passive tension of rotator cuff repairs and arm position and to examine the effect of this tension on repair gap formation. Five patients undergoing open surgical rotator cuff repair of the supraspinatus tendon were recruited. Tendon tension was recorded as the supraspinatus was advanced into a bone trough and secured. The relationship between arm position and repair tension was then measured. Standardized rotator cuff tears were created in 3 cadaveric shoulders and repaired by use of the intraoperative technique. The difference in tension measured between 0 degrees and 30 degrees abduction was statically applied for 24 hours and the gap formation measured. Repair tension increased with advancement of the supraspinatus tendon into the bone trough. Abduction reduced the repair load. The mean reduction in load by 30 degrees abduction was 34 N. Twenty-four hours of 34-N loading caused gap formation of 9 mm in cadaveric rotator cuff repairs. Passive tension in surgically repaired rotator cuffs may contribute to repair failure and can be modified by arm positioning.

Adult↗

Association between rotator cuff abnormalities and reduced acromiohumeral distance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between rotator cuff abnormalities and reduced acromiohumeral distance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acromiohumeral distance was measured on conventional radiographs and on MR images. Three age- and sex-matched patient groups each including 21 patients were stratified according to acromiohumeral distance on conventional radiographs (group 1, 10 mm). Acromiohumeral distance was related to the presence, location, and size of a rotator cuff tear and the degree of fatty degeneration of the muscle assessed on MR arthrography. The relative influence on acromiohumeral distance of the various MR arthrographic findings was assessed. Spearman's rank correlation and stepwise regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In group 1 (acromiohumeral distance <or= 7 mm) full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were present in 90% (19/21) of the patients, infraspinatus tendon tears in 67% (14/21) of the patients, and subscapularis tendon tears in 43% (9/21) of the patients. The size of rotator cuff tendon tears and the degree of fatty degeneration in all rotator cuff muscles showed a significant negative correlation with acromiohumeral distance (p < 0.05). After stepwise regression, a significant relative influence on acromiohumeral distance remained for size of rotator cuff tear (p < 0.0001) and for degree of fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Tendon tears and fatty muscle degeneration in the rotator cuff correlate with reduced acromiohumeral distance. Size of rotator cuff tear and degree of fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle have the most pronounced influence on acromiohumeral distance.

Acromion↗

Long-term functional outcome of repair of large and massive chronic tears of the rotator cuff.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting reports regarding the effect of the size of a tear of the rotator cuff on the ultimate functional outcome after repair of the rotator cuff. While some authors have reported that the size of the tear does not adversely affect the overall result of repair, others have reported that the outcome is less predictable after repair of a large tear than after repair of a small tear. The purpose of the present study was to examine the long-term functional outcome and the recovery of strength in thirty consecutive patients who had had repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff. METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients who had operative repair of a large or massive chronic tear of the rotator cuff had a comprehensive isokinetic assessment of the strength of the shoulder preoperatively, twelve months postoperatively, and a mean of sixty-five months (range, forty-six to ninety-three months) postoperatively. The functional outcome was assessed with the University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score. RESULTS: All patients reported that they were satisfied with the result and had increased strength compared with preoperatively. There was a significant decrease in pain (p < 0.01) and significant improvements in function (p < 0.01) and the range of motion (p < 0.01). The mean University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score increased significantly from 12.3 points preoperatively to 31.0 points at the most recent follow-up examination (p < 0.01). The mean peak torque in flexion, abduction, and external rotation increased significantly to 80 percent (p < 0.01), 73 percent (p < 0.01), and 91 percent (p < 0.01), respectively, of that of the uninvolved shoulder by the time of the most recent follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: Repair of a large or massive tear of the rotator cuff can have a satisfactory long-term outcome. The results of the present study suggest that more than one year is needed for complete restoration of strength. The strength of the affected shoulders still did not equal that of the unaffected, contralateral shoulders by the time of the long-term follow-up.

Adult↗

[Etiology of rotator-cuff-tears and consequences for legal assessment].

Traumatic or degenerative etiology of rotator-cuff-tears is a matter of controversial discussion in legal proceedings. This article presents a review on the literature about current knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and pathogenesis of rotator-cuff pathology. According to this a catalogue of potentially adequate and inadequate trauma mechanisms is proposed. Furthermore clinical history and examination as well as sonographic and radiologic findings and intraoperative pathology may help to distinguish between traumatic and degenerative changes of rotator-cuff lesions. The keypoints for and against traumatic etiology of rotator-cuff-tears are mentioned that could help the expert in the preparation of an adequate expert opinion.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Biocompatibility of a polymer patch for rotator cuff repair.

Both mechanical and biological factors influence the high re-tear rate after rotator cuff repair. Mechanical factors have largely been addressed by the introduction of better implants and modification of suture configuration, but further improvements are needed to address the often poor tissue quality of the degenerated rotator cuff tendons. Current biological solutions provide only short-term reinforcement and have been associated with pseudo-infectious reactions. This pre-clinical animal study investigates the biological response to a novel polycarbonate polyurethane patch used for tissue augmentation in a rat rotator cuff repair model. Bilateral defects were created in the supraspinatus tendons of 12 Sprague Dawley rats. One side was repaired with a patch as a tissue augmentation device. The contralateral side acted as internal control without patch augmentation. After 6 weeks the tissues were harvested and underwent histologic and histomorphometric analyses. Histological evaluation demonstrated no inflammatory reaction; histomorphometry revealed tissue ingrowth of 79.9%. In conclusion, the polycarbonate polyurethane patch for tissue extension or augmentation in rotator cuff repair has demonstrated no inflammatory response and excellent tissue integration in a rat rotator cuff repair model.

Animals↗

[The differential diagnosis of lesions of the rotator cuff and of neurological disorders in the shoulder joint area].

Lesions of the rotating cuff is a most frequent cause of disorders in the shoulder joint. However, they are frequently misdiagnosed and their manifestations use to be considered as those of scapulohumeral periarthritis, cervical osteochondrosis, or even brachial plexus palsy. The paper deals with symptoms and signs of rotating cuff lesions that are fairly different from those of the conditions above cited. It is emphasized that the deltoid muscle palsy cannot result in a permanent loss or restriction of active elevation of the arm when the function of the rotating cuff remains undisturbed. 16 patients with ruptures of the rotating cuff and simultaneous axillary palsy (11 cases) or Erb-Duchenne paralysis (5 cases) were successfully operated on by the author. Experience gained with treating lesions of the rotating cuff including surgical repair of the cuff in the above-mentioned cases permitted drawing a table of the differential diagnosis of rotatory cuff lesions and certain neurological and neurodystrophic lesions in the shoulder joint as well as specifying the identification of the level of brachial plexus lesion.

Adult↗

Pathogenesis of rotator cuff disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics.

In summary, rotator cuff pathology is a continuum that begins with degeneration of collagen fibers at a rate that exceeds that of repair. The degenerative process is accelerated with aging, chronic inflammatory diseases, impingement, and repetitive activity. A tendon weakened by disease may then be torn by routine physical activity. MR imaging can help predict which patients are at risk for rotator cuff disease because of abnormal anatomy and can detect the disease at an early stage so that the progression may be altered before a tear occurs.

Humans↗

The impact of preoperative smoking habits on the results of rotator cuff repair.

We examined the outcomes of patients who underwent surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears to test the hypothesis that patients who did not smoke would have better postoperative scores than smokers. Medical charts were reviewed for patients who underwent rotator cuff repair between 1990 and 1993. We examined age, smoking status, workers' compensation status, and the size of the rotator cuff tear to determine the effect of scores on the UCLA questionnaire and a subjective pain assessment. There were 95 smokers and 129 nonsmokers. Mean preoperative UCLA scores for smokers and nonsmokers were 15.9 and 17.6, respectively; mean postoperative scores were 25.0 and 32.0, respectively. Nonsmokers had a significantly greater increase in total UCLA scores than smokers (P <.0001) and significantly higher improvement in pain scores, and more nonsmokers were classified as having good or excellent results based on the UCLA rating. On the basis of our data, nonsmokers undergoing rotator cuff repair have greater improvement of pain and better results postoperatively than smokers.

Adult↗

Magnetic resonance pathology of the rotator cuff.

This article reviews the current issues in imaging of the rotator cuff with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Important technical issues are discussed, including some of the newer pulse sequences, surface coils, and MR arthrography. Debate continues over what constitutes the normal appearance of the rotator cuff. Issues regarding studies of asymptomatic volunteers, pitfalls in imaging, and MR artifacts such as magic angle effects are discussed. The article also reviews the basic concepts of MR interpretation of pathologic lesions of the cuff, including tendinopathy, partial and complete tears, and the relationships to rotator cuff impingement.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Glenohumeral articular cartilage changes in rotator cuff disease.

This study aims to clarify the natural history of glenohumeral articular cartilage changes in rotator cuff disease. We assessed 33 cadaveric shoulder joints, examining the rotator cuffs for macroscopic tears and the articular surfaces for degenerative changes. Ten specimens had tears of the rotator cuff. Articular degenerative changes were noted in 23 joints. Articular cartilage degeneration was almost twice as frequent in the group with rotator cuff tears (10/10 shoulders) as in those without tears (13/23 shoulders). This difference was statistically significant. This strong correlation between tears of the rotator cuff and articular degeneration has not been documented previously, other than in the extreme situation of massive cuff tears and cuff-tear arthropathy. This is deserving of further study because it may have implications for surgical management.

Aged↗

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of the rotator cuff after shoulder arthroplasty].

AIM: Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff tendons is a standard imaging technique. Although increasing numbers of shoulder arthroplasty are performed, there is no available data concerning the use of ultrasound after shoulder replacement. Our experimental study was performed to analyse the value of ultrasonography after shoulder arthroplasty a) in an ex-vivo-setting and b) in a retrospective analysis of our patients after shoulder hemiprothesis. METHOD: After defrosting, anatomic modular humeral head replacement was performed in four fresh-frozen specimens with intact rotator cuffs. The supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons of each specimen were either detached to simulate a cuff defect or reattached anatomically (four times per specimen). Two experienced examiners then performed ultrasonography to evaluate the two tendons to be either intact or deficient. In a retrospective study, 22 patients with 25 hemiprotheses of the shoulder underwent clinical and sonographic examination. For documentation of the clinical findings, the Constant score was used. RESULTS: In the cadaver study, the reliability of the method was slightly higher for the subscapularis tendon (13 correct, 3 false results) than for the supraspinatus tendon (12 correct, 4 false results). In our patients, rotator cuff defects and effusions around the biceps tendon and in the subdeltoid bursa could be detected. Normal sonograms correlated with good clinical results. CONCLUSION: In the cadaver study, we found a good reproducibility of in-vivo conditions. We believe that ultrasonography is beneficial in follow-up evaluation after shoulder arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty↗

Arthroscopic-assisted rotator cuff repair: patient selection and treatment outcome.

Over a 4-year period 24 patients out of 376 who required a rotator cuff repair were selected for arthroscopic-assisted rotator cuff repair. Preoperative selection criteria were refractory pain in the setting of good range of motion and strength (after an impingement test), absence of radiographic superior humeral head translation, and magnetic resonance imaging evidence of minimally retracted tear without rotator cuff muscle atrophy. Intraoperative selection criteria were the findings of an avulsion-type tear configuration with good tendon quality and absence of subscapularis tendon involvement. Based on these intraoperative criteria, 7 of the 24 patients were converted to an open approach to mobilize retracted and friable tendon tissue in a complex tear configuration. The remaining 17 patients underwent a transosseous arthroscopic-assisted rotator cuff repair with an average postoperative follow-up of 23 months. Evaluation by an independent therapist determined the postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Function Index of 96 +/- 3 for the operative shoulder. The Functional Rating Scores for Activities of Daily Living and Sports Activity Score were 89% +/- 10% and 87% +/- 12%, respectively. Instrumented isometric strength for abduction and external rotation strength in the operated shoulder were 94% +/- 20% and 93% +/- 20%, respectively, compared with the contralateral unoperated side. Five of eight patients who performed overhead sports returned to a premorbid level of performance, and 14 of 15 patients available for follow-up believed that their result was excellent. We conclude that through careful selection one can identify patients optimally suited for arthroscopic-assisted rotator cuff repair, but some may have to be converted to an open end approach because of the quality of the tendon tissue and configuration of the tear requiring soft tissue releases.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The effect of surgery for rotator cuff disease on general health status. Results of a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of the effect of rotator cuff surgery have concentrated on limb-specific or surgeon-based outcome criteria. We conducted a prospective trial to determine the effect of surgery for rotator cuff disease on general health status. METHODS: Seventy-one patients (fifty of whom were men and twenty-one of whom were women) with a mean age of 56.1 years were enrolled in the study. In addition to routine clinical and radiographic evaluation, all patients completed the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health-status questionnaire and five limb-specific questionnaires preoperatively and at six, twelve, eighteen, and twenty-four months postoperatively. All patients had a standard open acromioplasty and resection of the subacromial bursa. Thirty-one patients had repair of an associated rotator cuff tear. Sixty-seven patients (94 percent) completed the study; the remaining four patients were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: The preoperative SF-36 scores for physical function (60.6, p = 0.02), role function-physical (20.8, p = 0.001), pain (38.6, p = 0.003), physical component summary (37.0, p = 0.001), and mental component summary (45.6, p = 0.02) were significantly decreased compared with normative data. The preoperative limb-specific scores also were low. At the time of the most recent follow-up evaluation, there was improvement that approached or reached significance both in the limb-specific scores (p < or = 0.0026) and in the general-health-status scores for pain (p = 0.0001), role function-physical (p = 0.06), vitality (p = 0.01), and physical component summary (p = 0.01). The presence of a rotator cuff tear had a significant negative effect on limb-specific scores both preoperatively (p = 0.04) and postoperatively (p = 0.05). Although operative treatment of rotator cuff disease led to improved scores, patients who had filed a Workers' Compensation claim had lower limb-specific and SF-36 scores both preoperatively (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively) and postoperatively (p = 0.01 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for chronic rotator cuff disease reliably and significantly improves general health status.

Acromion↗

Internal impingement in the etiology of rotator cuff tendinosis revisited.

PURPOSE: The theory of internal impingement holds that, in overhead athletes, repeated contact between the undersurface of the rotator cuff and the posterosuperior glenoid rim leads to articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and superior labral lesions. However, we have noted this same constellation of lesions in our general patient population. These recreational athletic patients do not routinely assume the position of extreme abduction and external rotation, and thus are unlikely to experience significant internal impingement forces. The goal of this study was to document the prevalence of superior labral lesions in patients being treated for partial-thickness undersurface rotator cuff tears. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective case series. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 shoulders arthroscopically treated for partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears. With the exception of one professional tennis player, no patients were playing sports at a professional or major college level. No professional or collegiate throwing athletes were included. The prevalence of these lesions and their association with recreational athletics was noted. RESULTS: We found that 55 of 75 (73.3%) shoulders with articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears also had superior labral lesions. A statistically significant increased prevalence of superior labral lesions in the dominant shoulder was seen (P =.03). In addition, our patients who engaged in overhand throwing had significantly fewer superior labral lesions in the dominant shoulders than did nonthrowers (P =.017). CONCLUSIONS: The "kissing lesions" of undersurface rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior labral damage may be explained by mechanisms other than "internal impingement."

Adolescent↗

Force analysis of rotator cuff muscles.

A 3-dimensional static biomechanical model of the glenohumeral joint was used to investigate rotator cuff muscle forces during maximal isometric exertions (abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation) and static arm elevation. Muscle moment arms and cross sectional areas were determined from studies of cadaveric specimens, and maximal isometric strength data were collected using a Cybex II dynamometer. Predicted posterior deltoid forces were very low during abduction in the scapular plane. The model predicted the highest rotator cuff muscle forces during maximal internal rotation (subscapularis) and external rotation (infraspinatus, teres minor, and supraspinatus) exertions. The results indicate that abduction exertions may not produce the greatest loads on the supraspinatus tendon, and that analyses of arm elevation may underestimate the potential loads on the rotator cuff. The strong effect of external rotation exertions on supraspinatus and infraspinatus forces suggest that ergonomic efforts to prevent rotator cuff disease should include reduction of internal rotation loading on the arm. Moreover, it may be important to include warnings about external rotation exertions, in addition to arm elevation, in patient education.

Adult↗

Ultrasonography of rotator cuff pathology.

Shoulder sonography is a valuable means of evaluating the rotator cuff and biceps tendon. In experienced hands, it is as sensitive as arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging for detecting rotator cuff tears and abnormalities of the biceps tendon. Because sonography is rapid, noninvasive, relatively inexpensive, and capable of performing bilateral examinations in one sitting, it should be used as the initial imaging test when the primary question is one of rotator cuff or biceps tendon abnormalities.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Pathogenesis of partial tear of the rotator cuff: a clinical and pathologic study.

This prospective study investigated the clinical and pathologic results in 66 patients with partial tears of the rotator cuff from January 1996 to December 1998. The pathologic change in the rotator cuff was graded from the magnetic resonance images by using the criteria described by Zlatkin and Iannotti. A modified grading system from Ozaki and Panni was used for pathologic grading of the anterior acromion. The functional score of Constant and Murley was used for clinical assessment. The pathologic change in the rotator cuff revealed by the magnetic resonance imaging study was more severe in patients with articular side tears compared with patients who had bursal side tears. On the contrary, the pathologic changes in the acromion were significantly milder in patients with articular side tears compared with bursal side tears. These observations indicate that articular side tears of the rotator cuff are mainly associated with intrinsic pathologic changes of the rotator cuff, whereas bursal side tears are associated with subacromial impingement on an underlying milder pathologic change of the rotator cuff.

Acromion↗