Objective To investigate the effectiveness of proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) plate combined with rotator cuff reinforcement suture in the treatment of Neer type Ⅳ proximal humerus fracture. MethodsThe clinical data of 48 patients with proximal humeral fractures admitted between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 18 males and 30 females. The age ranged from 28 to 69 years (mean, 56.3 years). The causes of injury included falling in 39 cases and traffic accident in 9 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2-5 days (mean, 2.8 days). All of them were Neer type Ⅳ proximal humerus fractures, including 11 patients with dislocation. All patients underwent internal fixation with a PHILOS plate after anatomical reduction of the greater nodule, and the rotator cuff was sutured to the plate to reinforce fixation. The operation time was recorded, the wound healing, fracture healing, and complications were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant-Murley shoulder score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score were used to evaluate shoulder function before operation, at 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up. Results The operation time ranged from 65 to 90 minutes (mean, 76.9 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 9-16 months (mean, 12 months). Fracture reduction was good and all fractures healed, the healing time was 2-6 months (mean, 4.6 months). There was no complication such as subacromial impingement, fracture redisplacement, and screw removal during follow-up. One patient had humeral head necrosis, but the basic function of the shoulder joint was acceptable, the symptoms were mild, and no treatment was performed. At 3 months after operation, the upper limb function of the patients basically recovered. The VAS score, Constant-Murley score, UCLA score, and ASES score significantly improved at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative, and further improved at last follow-up than at 3 months after operation (P<0.05). ConclusionPHILOS plate combined with rotator cuff reinforcement suture in the treatment of Neer type Ⅳ proximal humerus fracture has the advantages of promoting early postoperative rehabilitation exercise, improving postoperative function of shoulder joint, and reducing complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy for treating primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff. Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff who met the selection criteria between October 2020 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 39-79 years, with an average of 61.0 years. Rotator cuff injury was caused by traumatic fall in 8 cases, and the time from injury to admission was 1-4 months, with an average of 2.0 months; the remaining 3 cases had no obvious inducement. The active range of motion of the affected shoulder was limited, with an active forward flexion range of motion of (64.1±10.9)°, abduction of (78.1±6.4)°, internal rotation of (48.2±6.6)°, and external rotation of (41.8±10.5)°; 5 cases had shoulder stiffness. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.8±0.8 and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was 23.9±6.4. The patients were treated with “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy, and the pain and functional recovery were evaluated by VAS score, ASES score, and active range of motion of shoulder joint at last follow-up; MRI was performed after operation, and the integrity of rotator cuff was evaluated by Sugaya classification system. Results All the 11 patients were followed up 2-22 months, with an average of 13.5 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection, rotator cuff re-tear, and anchor falling off. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.8±0.7 and the ASES score was 93.5±4.2, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). All 11 patients had no significant swelling in the shoulders, and the active range of motion was (165.1±8.8)° in flexion, (75.3±8.4)° in abduction, (56.6±5.5)° in internal rotation, and (51.8±4.0)° in external rotation, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Shoulder MRI showed adequate tendon thickness and good continuity in 9 cases, including 4 cases with partial high signal area; and 2 cases with inadequate tendon thickness but high continuity and partial high signal area. According to Sugaya classification system, there were 4 cases of type 1 (36.4%), 5 cases of type 2 (45.5%), and 2 cases of type 3 (18.1%).Conclusion For the patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff, the “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy is simple and effective.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of simultaneous and delayed repair of combined full-thickness rotator cuff rupture in proximal humerus fracture. Methods Between January 2015 and January 2017, 44 patients with proximal humerus fractures complicated with full-thickness rotator cuff injuries were included. Twenty-four patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and rotator cuff repair simultaneously (simultaneous operation group), and 20 patients underwent delayed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair more than 90 days after ORIF (delayed operation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, and side of injury between the two groups (P>0.05). The fracture healing was observed by X-ray films. The shoulder function was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation by using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17 months). Fractures all healed at 3 months after operation in simultaneous operation group. According to UCLA score, the patients had achieved significantly better outcomes in function, active forward flexion, strength of forward flexion, and subjective satisfaction in simultaneous operation group than in delayed operation group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in pain between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with proximal humerus fracture complicated with full-thickness rotator cuff rupture, performing ORIF and simultaneous repair of rotator cuff can improve shoulder function and achieve better effectiveness when compared with delayed repair of rotator cuff.
Objective To review the progress in the treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears. Methods Recent l iteratures about the treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears were reviewed. Results Treatment options of massive rotator cuff tears include nonoperative treatment, debridement, direct repair, tendon transfer, and repair with various substitutes, but the outcome is unpredictable. Recently, many experimental studies on the treatment of massive rotator cuff tears, such as gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering techniques, can provide cl inicians with new treatment strategies. Conclusion The treatment of massive rotator cuff tears pose a distinct cl inical challenge for the orthopaedist, depending on the overall presentation. The effect of traditional operation method to repair massive rotator cuff tears is limited. The treatment and research of massive rotator cuff tears still need to be studied.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of treatment for massive rotator cuff tears. MethodsThe domestic and foreign literature about the treatment of massive rotator cuff tears was reviewed. The methods and effectiveness were extensively summarized.ResultsThe treatment of massive rotator cuff tears still needs long-term research to promote its continuous improvement. The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and improve the shoulder joint function. With the development of arthroscopic technique, arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears has become a mature surgical protocol. Among these techniques, superior capsule reconstruction and patch augmentation for massive rotator cuff tears acquire more attention in recent years. As for rotator cuff arthropathy, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is considered to be a final choice. ConclusionSurgical treatment is the main choice for massive rotator cuff tears. Patients’ age and muscle condition should be taken into consideration to decide the surgical technique.
ObjectiveTo investigate effectiveness of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using a “sandwich” patch combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Methods A clinical data of 15 patients (15 sides) with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, who were admitted between September 2020 and March 2023 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 7 females with an average age of 62.1 years (range, 40-80 years). The rotator cuff tears were caused by trauma in 7 cases and other reasons in 8 cases. The disease duration ranged from 5 to 25 months, with an average of 17.7 months. According to the Hamada grading, the rotator cuff tears were rated as grade 1 in 2 cases, grade 2 in 8 cases, and grade 3 in 5 cases. All patients were underwent superior capsular reconstruction using the “sandwich” patches (autologous fascia lata+polypropylene patch+autologous fascia lata) combined with PRP injection on patches. The pre- and post-operative active range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, University of California, Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were recorded. The subacromial space was measured on the imaging and rotator cuff integrity was assessed based on Sugaya grading. Results All incisions healed by first intention after operation without any complications such as infection. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.4 months). At last follow-up, the active ROMs of flexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation of the shoulder joint, subacromial space, ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score increased, and VAS score decreased, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the Sugaya grading between last follow-up and immediately after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion For massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction using the “sandwich” patches combined with PRP injection can restore stability of the shoulder joint, relieve pain, promote rotator cuff healing, and achieve good short-term effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by meta-analysis. Methods Randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical effectiveness and safety of TXA use in the perioperative period of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were identified from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database, with a search time span from the inception of the database to August 2024. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software, and mean difference (MD) and risk difference (RD) were used as measures of effect size. Results A total of 7 randomized controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant differences in good visual clarity [MD=9.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) (4.05, 14.15), P=0.0004] and operative time [MD=?12.07 min, 95%CI (?17.21, ?6.93) min, P<0.00001]. There was no significant difference in mean arterial pressure [MD=?1.08 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), 95%CI (?3.13, 0.98) mm Hg, P=0.30] or adverse event rate [RD=0.02, 95%CI (?0.01, 0.06), P=0.22] between the two groups. Conclusion TXA is effective and safe in enhancing visual clarity and significantly reducing operative time in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, without increasing the incidence of adverse events.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of unilateral rotator cuff repair on the contralateral shoulder in patients with bilateral rotator cuff tears.MethodsA clinical data of 46 patients with bilateral rotator cuff tears met the criteria between May 2016 and May 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. Of 46 patients, 23 patients underwent bilateral conservative treatment (conservation group), 23 patients underwent unilateral arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and conservative treatment on the contralateral side (operation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, degree of rotator cuff tear, and comorbidities between 2 groups (P>0.05). Before operation and at 6 and 12 months after operation, the degree of the rotator cuff tear was measured by MRI, and the shoulder function was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and range of motion (ROM) (forward flexion, external rotation, external rotation at 90° of abduction, and internal rotation). The evaluation results of the non-surgical side of shoulders in the operation group were compared with one side of shoulders in the conservation group.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention without any complication after operation. All patients were followed up 12 months. MRI reexamination showed that the degree of rotator cuff tear of the contralateral shoulder in the operation group increased significantly after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the operation group and the conservation group before operation (P>0.05), but the rotator cuff tear of the contralateral shoulder in the operation group was more serious than that of the conservation group at 6 and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 months after operation, the VAS score, UCLA score, and ASES score significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS score, UCLA score, and ASES score between 2 groups before operation (P>0.05). The function scores in the conservation group were better than those in the operation group at 6 and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the ROM of shoulder between pre- and post-operation in 2 groups (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between 2 groups at pre- and post-operation (P>0.05).ConclusionFor patients with bilateral rotator cuff tears, the unilateral rotator cuff repair can aggravate the rotator cuff tear of contralateral shoulder.
ObjectiveElectrospinning technique was used to manufacture polycaprolactone (PCL)/collagen typeⅠ nanofibers orientated patches and to study their physical and chemical characterization, discussing their feasibility as synthetic patches for rotator cuff repairing.MethodsPCL patches were prepared by electrospinning with 10% PCL electrospinning solution (control group) and PCL/collagen typeⅠorientated nanofibers patches were prepared by electrospinning with PCL electrospinning solution with 25% collagen type Ⅰ(experimental group). The morphology and microstructure of the two patches were observed by gross and scanning electron microscopy, and the diameter and porosity of the fibers were measured; the mechanical properties of the patches were tested by uniaxial tensile test; the composition of the patches was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and the contact angle of the patch surface was measured. Two kinds of patch extracts were co-cultured with the third generation of rabbit tendon stem cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the toxicity and cell proliferation of the materials. Normal cultured cells were used as blank control group. Rabbit tendon stem cells were co-cultured with the two patches and stained with dead/living cells after 3 days of in vitro culture, and laser confocal scanning microscopy was used to observe the cell adhesion and activity on the patch.ResultsGross and scanning electron microscopy showed that the two patch fibers were arranged in orientation. The diameter of patch fibers in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (t=26.907, P=0.000), while the porosity in the experimental group was significantly larger than that in the control group (t=2.506, P=0.032). The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the patch in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=3.705, P=0.029; t=4.064, P=0.034). Infrared spectrum analysis showed that PCL and collagen type Ⅰ were successfully mixed in the experimental group. The surface contact angle of the patch in the experimental group was (73.88±4.97)°, which was hydrophilic, while that in the control group was (128.46±5.10) °, which was hydrophobic. There was a significant difference in the surface contact angle between the two groups (t=21.705, P=0.002). CCK-8 test showed that with the prolongation of culture time, the cell absorbance (A) value increased gradually in each group, and there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group at each time point (P>0.05). Laser confocal scanning microscopy showed that rabbit tendon stem cells could adhere and grow on the surface of both patches after 3 days of culture. The number of cells adhered to the surface of the patches in the experimental group was more than that in the control group, and the activity was better.ConclusionPCL/ collagen type Ⅰ nanofibers orientated patch prepared by electrospinning technology has excellent physical and chemical properties, cell adhesion, and no cytotoxicity. It can be used as an ideal scaffold material in tendon tissue engineering for rotator cuff repair in the future.
ObjectiveTo establish a model of chronic rotator cuff injury by inducing subacromial impingement syndrome in rats, so as to lay a foundation for further study on the mechanism and treatment of chronic rotator cuff injury. MethodsThe polyether-ether-ketone implants were designed and made with three-dimensional printing technique. In 48 male Sprague Dawley rats[weighing, (277.25±22.03) g], one shoulder joint was selected randomly as the experimental group; in the experimental group, the implant was pierced into shoulder joint close tothe acromion medial side and was pierced out under acromion close to the deltoid trailing edge; the penetratingpartof implant was cut off after the implanting part was fixed with 4# braided silk suture. No any treatment was performed on the contralateral shoulder of 24 rats as control group; and the implants were immediately removed after they were pierced into the contralateral shoulder joint of the other 24 rats as sham-operation group. All the rats were exposed to 30 minutes of downhill running at 17 m/minute (-13.5°) every day at 4 days after operation and the general condition of rats was observed. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after operation, 12 rats were sacrificed to collect shoulder joint samples. The hardtissueslices was used for VanGieson staining and histological observation of the supraspinatus tendon. ResultsAll ratssurvived to the end of experiment, without infection.The rats suffered limp at 2-3 daysafter operation, and the gait of most rats returned to normal at 4 days after operation.The histological results showed that the supraspinatus tendon had smooth edge, without split layers or breakage in the control group and sham-operation group. In the experimental group, the implants were positioned accurately without dislocation; 4 kinds of typical pathological changes were observed. Partial-thickness tear on bursal side appeared at 2 weeks (5 rats) and 4 weeks (2 rats), showing no significant difference between at 2 and 4 weeks (P > 0.05); intratendinous gap formed mainly at 4 weeks (10 rats) and 6 weeks (11 rats), showing significant differences when compared with that at 2 weeks (2 rats) (P < 0.05) and 8 weeks (2 rats) (P < 0.05); partial-thickness tear on articular side mainly appeared at 6 weeks (8 rats), showing significant difference when compared with that at other time points (P < 0.05); full-thickness tear was found mainly at 8 weeks (10 rats), showing significant differences when compared with that at other time points (P < 0.05). ConclusionA model of chronic rotator cuff injury is successfully established in rats through microinvasive implantation of subacromial impingement syndrome inducing implants and the pathological changes in this model are highly similar to the clinical pathological progress.