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The tension required at repair to reappose the supraspinatus tendon to bone rapidly increases after injury.

Rotator cuff tears occur frequently and can cause significant pain and reduced shoulder function. A high percentage of patients are satisfied after surgical repair of rotator cuff tears, but a smaller percentage of patients with chronic tears continue to have pain and poor shoulder function. This may be partly attributable to an increase in the repair tension, the force required at repair to reappose the tendon to its original insertion site on the humerus. Increases in repair tension have been shown to occur for long-standing ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon, but the precise tension at various times after injury are unknown. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine the repair tension at various times after a rotator cuff tear. This was achieved by creating a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear in a rat model and measuring the mechanical characteristics of the musculotendinous unit at 0, 2, 4, 9, and 16 weeks after injury. The repair tension rapidly increased initially after injury followed by a progressive, but less dramatic, increase with additional time. These findings suggest that rotator cuff tears should be repaired early in the clinical setting. Future studies will investigate the effect of repair tension on tendon to bone healing after repair.

Animals↗

Ultrastructure of the subacromial bursa in painful shoulder syndromes.

In order to determine if inflammation of the subacromial bursa or "bursitis" is as common an occurrence as believed in painful conditions of the shoulder, eight bursae were obtained during surgery from 3 cases of calcifying tendinitis, 2 of tight coracoacromial ligament, 2 of rotator cuff tear and 1 of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. In the cases of calcifying tendinitis, tight coracoacronial ligament and rotator cuff tear the morphological changes mainly consisted of a numerical increase in cells throughout the bursal wall along with proliferation of endothelial cells in the vascular channels. All of the cells including the endothelial had densely packed, intermediate type filaments in their cytoplasm but no appreciable diminution of metabolic organelles. Lipid droplets were abundant in the extracellular connective tissue of the bursae from the cases with rotator cuff tear. In contrast to the other cases, the bursa from the case of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis showed widespread fibrin deposition in association with cell necrosis. In none of the cases did inflammatory leukocytic cells infiltrate bursal tissue. We conclude, that the subacromial bursa tends to undergo proliferative or degenerative changes in rotator cuff tendinopathies but bursal inflammation with polymorphonuclear cell infiltrate does not occur commonly.

Adult↗

Subluxations and dislocations of the tendon of the long head of the biceps.

Seventy-one cases of subluxation or dislocation of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) were retrospectively evaluated. Subluxation was observed in 25 (35%) cases combined with partial tearing of the subscapularis tendon and in 70% with tears of the supraspinatus tendon. Dislocation was defined as a permanent loss of contact between the tendon and the intertubercular groove; it was observed in 46 (65%) cases. Dislocation was associated with complete rupture of the subscapularis tendon in 23 cases, with partial tearing in 21 cases, and with an intact subscapularis tendon in 2 cases. Out of a series of 445 rotator cuff repairs, medial displacement of the LHB was found in 16%. In 70% of all cases dislocation of the long biceps tendon was associated with massive rotator cuff tears including the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. Although "pseudoparalysis" of the shoulder (sudden loss of active elevation) was observed in 46% of all cases, no specific clinical test correlated to the presence of medial displacement of the LHB. Arthrography revealed displacement of the LHB in 28%, whereas arthro-computed tomography demonstrated lesions in 76%. The authors believe that medial displacement of the LHB can easily be overlooked during open surgery, and opening of the rotator interval is an essential part of rotator cuff repair.

Adult↗

[Magnetic resonance morphologic changes in shoulder joints of world class water polo players].

UNLABELLED: In a prospective study we examined the dominant shoulder of 11 athletes from the 1992 German Olympic water polo team. Their mean age was 25.4 +/- 3.5 years. Water polo had been practised generally for 14.1 +/- 4.3 years and professionally for 11.6 +/- 3.9 years. The weekly training amounted to between 12.5 and 19.5 hours. All athletes were submitted to standardised clinical, sonographical and MRI tests. In 5 cases we found anamnestic and/or clinical indications of rotator cuff pathology. In all 5 cases the supraspinatus tendon was affected, and in three cases both the supra- and the infraspinatus tendon were involved. Sonographically, no specific pathology except a thickened rotator cuff was seen. Remarkable changes were revealed by magnetic resonance imaging. In 8 cases changes were present in the insertion of the rotator cuff at the humeral head. The subacromial bursa was not pathologic. The tendon of the long head of the biceps was pathologically changed in 9 cases. In 7 athletes a so-called biceps halo and in two an osteophyte in the area of the bicipital groove was visible. In all of the 11 dominant shoulder joints massive hypertrophy of the articular capsule and pathologic changes of the anterior glenoid labrum existed. Occult osseous lesions were detected in 5 athletes, and osseous lesions of the humeral head in 8 athletes. In all athletes we could document degenerative changes at the acromioclavicular joints such as effusion in 7 cases, arthritis in two cases, and evident synovitis in two cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many of the changes detected by MRI were not symptomatic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: two- to seven-year follow-up.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) was performed in 88 patients (90 shoulders) with stage II or early III impingement syndrome of the shoulder unresponsive to nonoperative treatment. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the follow-up an average of 41 months (range 24 to 82 months) after surgery. We wished to compare results in (1) patients with and without rotator cuff tears, (2) in athletes and nonathletes, and (3) in throwers and nonthrowers. Patients were evaluated by (1) Neer's Criteria for Satisfactory Result, (2) the UCLA Shoulder RAting Scale, (3) the Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Rating Scale, (4) a detailed questionnaire, and (5) patient satisfaction. In the follow-up group (n = 90), 80% met Neer's criteria for satisfactory result; 94% had satisfactory results by the UCLA Shoulder Scale; 95% had a satisfactory result by the Shoulder and Elbow Society Scale; and 93% of shoulder patients expressed satisfaction at follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in function between the group without rotator cuff tear (n = 47) and the group with rotator cuff tear (n = 43). Satisfactory results were obtained in 68% of throwing athletes and in 90% of nonthrowing athletes (P < .05) by the Neer Rating, whereas only 50% of competitive baseball and softball pitchers had satisfactory results. Out impression is that ASD is an acceptable alternative to open anterior acromioplasty with comparable results for the treatment of the impingement lesion. There were no differences in result in patients who had a partial rotator cuff tear and those who had no tear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acromion↗

Shoulder after surgery: MR imaging with surgical validation.

To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of the shoulder after surgery, MR examinations were performed in 31 patients before repeated surgery, and MR findings were correlated with the subsequent operative findings. In addition, the MR findings associated with prior surgery were reviewed, including altered structure of the acromion, soft-tissue metal artifacts, a surgical trough in the humeral head, nonvisualization of the subacromial-subdeltoid fat stripe, and intermediate signal intensity within the substance of the rotator cuff on images obtained with all pulse sequences. The MR criteria for full-thickness tears in the shoulder after surgery are the presence of fluidlike signal intensity on T2-weighted images that extends through an area of the rotator cuff or the nonvisualization of a portion of the rotator cuff. With use of these criteria, six of seven full-thickness rotator cuff tears were identified at MR imaging, with an accuracy of 90%. Partial cuff tears were indistinguishable from repaired tendons. Findings at MR imaging were 74% accurate concerning the presence of impingement.

Adult↗

Radiologic measurement of superior displacement of the humeral head in the impingement syndrome.

A method for directly measuring the position of the humeral head on the face of the glenoid in different positions of abduction of the arm was developed. We studied three subject groups: 12 patients with normal shoulders (group 1), 15 patients with stage II impingement syndrome (group 2), and 20 patients with rotator cuff tears or stage III impingement (group 3). The study consisted of a series of anteroposterior roentgenograms in the plane of the scapula with the arm in neutral rotation. Roentgenograms were obtained at 20 degrees intervals as the arm was elevated in the plane of the scapula from 0 degree to 120 degrees. Patients held a weight equal to 2 1/2% of body weight in the hand. The parameters measured were excursion of the humeral head on the glenoid face, expressed as the distance that the center of the head lies above or below the center of the glenoid, arm angle, scapulothoracic angle, and glenohumeral angle. For patients with normal shoulders (group 1), there was no significant change in position of the humeral head with arm elevation. In contrast, those with stage II impingement (group 2) had significant (p < 0.05) superior displacement of the center of the humeral head with arm elevation. Patients with rotator cuff tears (group 3) demonstrated a significant rise (p < 0.05) during the first 40 degrees of abduction. The average position of the humeral head in the two pathologic patient groups was superior (p < 0.05) to the average head position in the normal patient group. There was no significant difference in head position between patients with stage II impingement and patients with rotator cuff tear. The ratio of the glenohumeral angle to the scapulothoracic angle during abduction was calculated for our patient groups. In both patient groups, arm abduction had a larger scapulothoracic component than for normal shoulders. The superior migration of the humeral head is a probable result of cuff failure, either partial or complete.

Adult↗

Spontaneous healing process of a supraspinatus tendon tear in rabbits.

INTRODUCTION: The rotator cuff has a characteristic structure, in that one surface faces articular cartilage and another faces bursa. This structure may produce differences in the healing process between the rotator cuff and other tendons. We investigated the spontaneous healing process of a surgically created supraspinatus tendon tear in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transverse, full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon was created and its healing examined. RESULTS: A tear of 12 mm was not repaired within 3 weeks. With a tear of 5 mm, reparative tissue gradually encroached into the defect from the bursal side, and the tear united from the bursal side to the articular side by 12 weeks. The healing rates (width of reparative tissue/width of the tendon x 100%) were 32.2%, 52.4%, 58.0%, 88.9%, and 93.8% at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively. The reparative tissue had continuity to the epitenon of the bursal side. Immunohistochemical study showed that at week 1, type III collagen was detected in the reparative tissue and the cutting ends, and the expression gradually decreased. On the other hand, the expression of type I collagen in the reparative tissue was weak at week 1 and increased until week 3. PCNA-positive cells were observed in the reparative tissue. CONCLUSION: These results show that the origin of the reparative tissue is the epitenon, and from the bursal side rather than the articular side. This model is very useful for the investigation of the remodeling process of an acute rotator cuff tear.

Animals↗

Internal impingement of the shoulder: comparison of findings between the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders of college baseball players.

The authors evaluated and compared the findings of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of throwing and nonthrowing shoulders in college baseball athletes and contrasted these findings with the clinical examination results. Ten throwing college baseball athletes were prospectively clinically examined for instability, range of motion, impingement signs, and relocation testing, then evaluated with bilateral gadolinium enhanced MRI using the nonthrowing shoulder as a control. All MRIs were performed on a 1.5-Tesla magnet and included routine adduction images and images obtained in abduction and external rotation (ABER). Studies were interpreted by a musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder surgery. In all shoulders, ABER imaging showed physical contact between the undersurface of the rotator cuff and the posterior superior glenoid. No imaging or physical examination abnormalities were identified in the nonthrowing shoulders. Three of 10 throwing shoulders had superior labral tears and adjacent paralabral cysts extending toward or into the spinoglenoid notch. Four of 10 throwing shoulders had abnormal signal change in the rotator cuff tendons. No correlation was identified between positive MRI findings and instability on physical examination. Physical contact between the rotator cuff undersurface and the subjacent labrum can be seen normally in the ABER position. Abnormalities of the rotator cuff and superior labrum are seen in asymptomatic throwing shoulders but not nonthrowing shoulders. MRI abnormalities consistent with internal impingement can be seen in asymptomatic patients. Treatment of these abnormalities in young throwing athletes should be approached with caution.

Adult↗

Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging.

MRI provides excellent soft tissue contrast and allows for multiplanar imaging in anatomic planes. Because of these advantages MRI has become the study of choice for imaging of shoulder pathology. Some structures, such as the rotator cuff, humeral head contour, and glenoid shape, are evaluated well with conventional MRI. When more sensitive evaluation of the labrum, capsule, articular cartilage, and glenohumeral ligaments is required or when a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear is suspected,magnetic resonance arthrography with intra-articular contrast can be performed. For MR arthrography contrast is injected directly into the glenohumeral joint. This article reviews the appearances of normal anatomic structures in MRI of the shoulder and disorders involving the rotator cuff and glenoid labrum.

Humans↗

EMG and strength correlates of selected shoulder muscles during rotations of the glenohumeral joint.

OBJECTIVE: To identify activation patterns of several muscles acting on the shoulder joint during isokinetic internal and external rotation. DESIGN: Combined EMG and isokinetic strength analysis in healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: EMG studies of the shoulder region revealed intricate muscular activation patterns during elevation of the arm but no parallel studies regarding pure rotations of the joint could be located. METHODS: Fifteen (n=30 shoulders) young, asymptomatic male subjects participated in the study. Strength production during isokinetic concentric and eccentric internal and external rotations at 60 and 180 degrees /s was correlated with the EMG activity of the rotator cuff, biceps, deltoid and pectoralis major. Analysis of the smoothed EMG related to the timing of onset of the signal and to the normalized activity at the angle of the peak moment. Determination of the association between the EMG and the moment was based on strength ratios. RESULTS: Findings indicated that for both types of rotations, the rotator cuff and biceps were active 0.092+/-0.038-0.215+/-0.045 s prior to the initiation of the actual movement and 0.112-0.034 s prior to onset of deltoid and pectoralis major activity. These differences were significant in all of the eight conditions (P<0.05). In terms of the strength ratios, strong association was found between electrical activity and moment production in the subscapularis and infraspinatus (r(2)=0.95 and 0. 72, respectively) at the low and high angular velocities. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to actual rotation of the shoulder joint, normal recruitment of the rotator cuff and biceps is characterized by a non-specific presetting phase which is mainly directed at enhancing the joint 'stiffness' and hence its stability. Once movement is in progress, the EMG patterns of these muscles become movement specific and are correlated with the resultant moment. RELEVANCE: Muscular dysfunction relating to delayed onset activity or altered activation patterns, due to pain, perturbed mechanics or disturbed neural activation have been implicated as concomitant factors in other joint associated pathologies. Through highlighting the role of the rotator cuff in shoulder joint rotations, this study lends further support to the argument that a parallel situation may prevail with respect to shoulder joint dysfunction. This could lead to the development of rehabilitation protocols aimed specifically at redressing such dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging of the musculoskeletal system. Part 6. The Shoulder.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with shoulder pain has increased remarkably in recent years, largely because of improved resolution of images and increased experience of musculoskeletal radiologists. In rotator cuff disease/impingement and instability, magnetic resonance imaging adds a new dimension to the clinical findings through the noninvasive visualization of either the pathology itself or frequently associated abnormalities. It is the associated abnormalities that are depicted in instability: glenoid irregularities, labral tears, capsular laxity, and Hill-Sachs deformities. Glenoid, labral, and Hill-Sachs abnormalities can be assessed with either magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography. Magnetic resonance imaging has the advantages of noninvasiveness, multiplanar imaging capability and exquisite soft tissue contrast. In rotator cuff disease, magnetic resonance imaging depicts the status of the rotator cuff itself, revealing partial and full thickness tears, allowing an estimation of size and quality of tendon edges. Possible impingement sites can be identified. Primary instability with secondary impingement may be first suspected on magnetic resonance imaging. Postoperative complications, including recurrent tendon detachment, deltoid dehiscence, and infection, are clarified. Unsuspected but clinically important lesions, such as neoplasm, osteonecrosis, and ganglion with entrapment of the suprascapular nerve, each have characteristic magnetic resonance imaging appearances.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Hydrodilatation (distension arthrography): a long-term clinical outcome series.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the medium to long-term effectiveness of hydrodilatation and post-hydrodilatation physiotherapy in patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology. METHODS: Patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral contractures associated with rotator cuff pathology were recruited into a 2-year study. They all underwent hydrodilatation, followed by a structured physiotherapy programme. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3 days, 1 week, 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after hydrodilatation with primary outcome measures (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Shoulder Disability Index and percentage rating of "normal" function; SD%) and secondary outcome measures (range of shoulder abduction, external rotation and hand behind back). Comparisons in recovery were made between the primary and secondary glenohumeral contracture groups at all timeframes and for all outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients (23 with primary and 30 with secondary glenohumeral contractures) were recruited into the study. At the 2-year follow-up, 12 patients dropped out from the study. At baseline, the two contracture groups were similar with respect to their demographic and physical characteristics. The two groups of patients recovered in a similar fashion over the 2-year follow-up period. A significant improvement was observed in all outcomes measures over this period (p<0.01), so that both function and range of movement increased. The rate of improvement was dependent on the outcome measure that was used. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrodilatation and physiotherapy increase shoulder motion in individuals with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology. This benefit continues to improve or is maintained in the long term, up to 2 years after hydrodilatation.

Adult↗

[MR imaging of the shoulder. Impingement and instability-related abnormalities].

In addition to the case history and the clinical examination, MR imaging has an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of numerous shoulder abnormalities and in the investigation of chronic shoulder pain. Important indications for MR imaging are any conditions or symptoms making assessment of the rotator cuff and the labrocapsular complex necessary. Assessment of the rotator cuff muscles, in particular, is crucial. The value of MR arthrography, which is still controversial, is discussed. The greatest potential benefit of MR arthrography is the accurate evaluation of subtle rotator cuff abnormalities and shoulder instability-related lesions, and the assessment of pathologic conditions of the long biceps tendon. This paper describes the most common pathologic findings of the shoulder joint and describes how the relevant findings are reported and quantified for the orthopaedic shoulder surgeon.

Humans↗

Tears in the subscapularis tendon: descriptive analysis and results of surgical repair.

Although not well known, lesions of the subscapularis tendon are more common than usually reported. We conducted a descriptive study of 22 patients (23 shoulders), who underwent surgical repair of subscapularis tendon tears. Mean follow-up was 73 months. The findings were compared to the results of a prospective study published by one of us (R.H.C.), who reviewed 97 other patients (105 shoulders) with a mean follow-up of 13.4 years after surgical repair of a rotator cuff tear. This comparison allowed us to identify the specific features of rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis tendon. Subscapularis tears were more likely to be related to a shoulder injury and caused more severe functional impairment, as compared to lesions of the other tendons. Time to surgical treatment was shorter when the subscapularis was torn. Subscapularis tears required adaptation of the surgical approach and postoperative protection of external rotation for 4-6 weeks. Outcomes were less satisfactory when the subscapularis tendon was torn. However, the outcomes in both studies were correlated to tear size. The outcomes were often favorable after isolated subscapularis tendon tears and less so when other tendons were involved.

Adult↗

The combined dynamic and static contributions to subacromial impingement. A biomechanical analysis.

Ten human cadaveric shoulders were tested with a dynamic shoulder model simulating physiologic rotator cuff, deltoid, and biceps muscle forces. The combined effect of the muscle forces and acromial structure on subacromial impingement was measured with minimally invasive, miniature pressure transducers. Shoulders with large acromial spurs had significantly greater impingement pressures at the anterolateral acromion in neutral, internal, and external rotation compared with those with flatter acromia. Application of a biceps muscle force reduced anterolateral acromial pressures by 10%. Failure to simulate a supraspinatus force decreased acromial pressure 52% in shoulders with type III acromia in neutral rotation. Without rotator cuff forces applied, the maximum deltoid muscle force required to elevate the arm increased by 17%. Acromial pressures were increased when no rotator cuff forces were applied, but the increases were not significant. After an anterior acromioplasty, pressures decreased by 99% anteriorly. However, failure to achieve a flat surface posteriorly increased pressures in this location, especially with the shoulder in external rotation. Modeling the rotator cuff and deltoid muscle forces demonstrated the importance of the muscular force couple to center the humeral head during elevation of the arm. The inferior forces of the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles were necessary to neutralize the superior shear force produced by the deltoid and supraspinatus muscles.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗

Role of the coracoacromial ligament as restraint after shoulder hemiarthroplasty.

Patients with an irreparable rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral degeneration often are treated with hemiarthroplasty. This procedure has proven effective as long as the coracoacromial ligament remained intact. The ligament reportedly acts as a restraint against anterosuperior dislocation. The purpose of the current study was to test the role of the coracoacromial ligament as an anterosuperior restraint after hemiarthroplasty in shoulders from cadavers with simulated irreparable rotator cuff tears. Six fresh-frozen shoulders were dissected to mimic a massive rotator cuff tear. After a hemiarthroplasty was done, each shoulder was mounted in a fixture, which was attached to a materials testing device. Using this device, the role of the coracoacromial ligament was evaluated by loading the shoulders in various positions and then measuring displacement before and after excision of the ligament. The mean difference in anterosuperior displacement was 3.44 mm. In all shoulders, subjective observation revealed that the humeral head often becomes wedged between the coracoid and the acromion during axial loading after excision of the coracoacromial ligament. Therefore, the coracoacromial ligament should be preserved to enhance the stability of the joint and to preserve the superior fulcrum.

Adult↗

Improving the diagnostic accuracy of MR in the detection of infraspinatus tendon injuries.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to determine the accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of infraspinatus tendon injury and more specifically to determine if the antero-posterior extent of a rotator cuff tear is predictive of infraspinatus tearing. METHOD: The MR images of 41 shoulders with surgically proven supraspinatus tears at surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The following were assessed for each of the 41 studies: the number of oblique coronal images on which a tendon defect could be seen, the angle subtended by the tear on axial images (the rotator cuff "axial angle"), and the extent of signal abnormality on sagittal images. RESULTS: The rotator cuff axial angle was 75.6 degrees in patients with infraspinatus tendon tears (ITTs) versus 40 degrees in those without ITTs, and this difference was significant (p < 0.001, t = 3.06). The mean number of oblique coronal images (obtained with a 4 mm slice and 1 mm gap) showing signal abnormality was 5.4 in the ITT group versus 2.9 in those without ITTs, and this difference was also significant (p < 0.001, t = 4.45). The mean sagittal extent of the tendon abnormality was 24.6 mm in the ITT group and 11.6 mm in those without ITTs, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05, t = 1.1364). CONCLUSION: The axial angle and the number of oblique coronal images in which signal abnormality was present were significantly related to a higher incidence of infraspinatus tears.

Adult↗