Patients with rotator cuff tears present a psychological impairment, not only a functional deficit: a systematic review

Orthopaedic deception: when psychiatric disorders mimic musculoskeletal conditions

Psychiatric disorders significantly impact orthopaedic practice, often manifesting in ways that can complicate diagnosis and treatment. This narrative review explores psychiatric conditions that mimic musculoskeletal disorders, including Conversion Disorder, Factitious Disorder, Somatic Symptom Disorder, and Malingering. These disorders present a range of challenges, from interfering with accurate diagnosis to contributing to suboptimal clinical outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Is fundamental the role of orthopaedic surgeons in recognizing these conditions, which can present as genuine musculoskeletal symptoms but have underlying psychiatric origins. It emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and proper training to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely, appropriate treatment. By examining current literature, the review provides a comprehensive overview of each disorder, detailing their clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. The aim is to enhance orthopedic practitioners' ability to identify and manage these complex cases effectively, improving patient care and reducing the risk of unnecessary interventions.

Sling Is Not Inferior to Brace Immobilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

To compare the safety and efficacy of immobilizing the upper limb with a brace versus a less-constrained sling in the rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), by documenting clinical and radiologic results.

METHODS

ARCR was performed in 110 patients (54.9 ± 8.3 years) randomized in group A, using a brace for 6 weeks after surgery (3 weeks day and night then 3 weeks only at night), and group B, using a simple sling for 2 weeks only. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months. Functional outcomes were range of motion, strength, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and Constant-Murley Score (CMS). Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale and quality of life with the SF-36 questionnaire. The primary outcome was the CMS at 6 months. At 6 months, 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging was performed to document the status of the rotator cuff repair. The minimal clinically important difference was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Both groups A and B showed a worsening at 6 weeks and an improvement at 3 and 6 months of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and CMS, as well as a significant visual analog scale decrease at every follow-up (P < .005). SF-36 showed a different trend: General health improved at 6 weeks, then decreased at 3 months, and increased again at 6 months. No difference was retrieved between the 2 groups at any follow-up in terms of pain, functional, and general health scores. The minimal clinically important difference for the primary outcome was 14.5 points and was reached in 56.5% and 61.2% of patients in the sling and brace group, respectively. The evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging scans identified 5 patients in each group with a supraspinatus tendon re-rupture, with no statistical difference in the re-rupture rate between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that ARCR postoperative sling immobilization was not inferior to immobilization with a brace, having no differences in terms of functional scores, pain levels, general health, and risk of tendon re-rupture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, high-quality randomized controlled trial (designed as a therapeutic study investigating the results of treatment) with statistically significant difference.

Understanding preoperative health-related quality of life in rotator cuff tear patients: role of patients' characteristics

BACKGROUND

Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a widely employed method in orthopedics to evaluate patient well-being and measure the effectiveness of surgical interventions. Understanding the relationship between specific baseline factors and preoperative HRQoL can help clinicians identify patients at risk for low quality of life and thus, develop preventive strategies that adequately address individual patient needs. The objective was to assess associations between baseline factors and preoperative HRQoL in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

METHODS

This study is part of a multicenter prospective Swiss cohort study that included patients undergoing ARCR between June 2020 and November 2021. Data were derived from baseline and surgery forms. HRQoL was assessed using the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire to calculate EQ-5D index and EQ VAS scores. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models examined associations between the 21 factors and preoperative HRQoL. Final models were determined using stepwise backward regression.

RESULTS

A total of 973 included patients (mean age [SD], 57.3 [9.4] years; 611 men [63%]) had a mean [SD] EQ-5D index and EQ VAS of 0.70 [0.23] and 68.7 [19.8], respectively. Being male (regression coefficient (β), 0.05; 95% CI [0.02-0.08]), having a higher age (β, 0.02; 95% CI [0.01-0.03]) and higher education levels (e.g., university, college: β, 0.11; 95% CI [0.06-0.16]) were associated with a higher EQ-5D index. Increased body mass index (β, -0.02; 95% CI [-0.04 to -0.01]) and worse sleep quality (β, -0.03; 95% CI [-0.04 to -0.03]) were associated with a lower EQ-5D index. Factors negatively associated with overall EQ VAS health were depression (e.g., moderate: β, -12.70; 95% CI [-16.18 to -9.21]), presence of at least one comorbidity (β, -3.71; 95% CI [-5.91 to -1.52]), and pain (β, -1.81; 95% CI [-2.36 to -1.26]).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that preoperative HRQoL is highly associated with sociodemographic and patient-related factors. Specifically addressing these factors may improve orthopedic care.

Stem cell treatment for regeneration of the rotator cuff: study protocol for a prospective single-center randomized controlled trial (Lipo-cuff)

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tears (RCT) are a common musculoskeletal condition, especially in the aging population. The prevalence of rotator cuff tears varies based on factors like age, occupation, and activity level. In the general population, the prevalence of rotator cuff tears is estimated to be around 20 to 25%. Rotator cuff tears (RCT) have an impact in patients' pain level, shoulder function, sleep disturbance, and quality of life. Primary tendon surgery is in mostly cases necessary. This study aimed to examine if treatment of rotator cuff lesions with implantation of micro-fragmented adipose tissue can improve patients' reported pain and function compared to conventional surgery.

METHODS

The study is a prospective superiority parallel-group single-center randomized controlled trial including 30 patients between 40 and 69 years of age in Denmark. Patients will be allocated 1:1 ratio to reconstruction of the supraspinatus tendon with an injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue into the related muscle (stem cell treatment) or the standard of care (SOC), which is conventional surgery. Patients, project assistants, physicians, and outcome adjudicators are not blinded to randomization due to practical constraints. The radiologist and the statistician performing the analysis will be blinded. The primary outcome will be the Oxford shoulder score at 12 months post-surgery.

DISCUSSION

This study will assess whether adding micro-fragmented adipose tissue therapy to conventional rotator cuff tear treatment can enhance recovery, accelerate return to daily activities, and improve functional outcomes. The research will also determine if this minimally invasive procedure could be standardized for routine patient care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06505135. Registered on July 10, 2024.

Rotator cuff repair: Sleep disturbance significantly improves after arthroscopic tendon repair

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to quantify sleep quality and define its evolution in patients treated for rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and to understand its correlation with patients' depression and anxiety.

METHODS

The patients were part of the 'ARCR_Pred cohort study', a prospective multicentre cohort of ARCR patients.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

adult, RCT diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, treated by primary ARCR.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

irreparable tears, revision operations, open or mini-open reconstructions, pregnancy. Subjective sleep quality (prevalence and level of disturbance) was analysed. Psychological characteristics (PROMIS Sf questionnaire) and functional outcomes (Constant and Murley Score and Oxford Shoulder Score) were investigated. A gender-based analysis was performed as well. Patients were evaluated before the operation and prospectively at 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

Of the 973 patients, 611 (62.8%) were men, with the mean age being 57.3 ± 9.4 years (range, 21-84). A high prevalence of sleep disturbances was found before ARCR (88.4%), with 59% of the patients complaining of disturbance every night. Sleep disturbances progressively improved at 6 (37.2%) and 12 months (22.0%). Also, nocturnal pain (frequency of night disturbed by pain) progressively improved from 94.3% to 62.4% and then 37.9%. For depression and anxiety, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was retrieved among every group (undisturbed, occasionally and always disturbed) at all follow-ups. On the other hand, the post-op improvement led to a decrease in anxiety and depression levels passing from 50.1 and 51.4 points at baseline to 45.0 and 45.4 at 12 months, respectively. Women had statistically worse sleep quality at 6 and 12 months (41% vs. 36% and 27% vs. 19%, respectively) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RCTs cause a high prevalence of sleep disturbance and nocturnal pain, which progressively resolves after an arthroscopic tendon repair. Women have a higher risk than men of presenting disturbed sleep quality.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic cohort study.

Superior capsular reconstruction with the long head of the biceps tendon achieves excellent clinical results and low rotator cuff rerupture rates one year after cuff repair surgery

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical one-year evolution of healed and rerupture lesions in patients who received a rotator cuff repair plus Superior Capsular Reconstruction (SCR) with the long head of the biceps (LHB). Moreover, to compare this evolution between men and women.

METHODS

A pilot study was conducted on patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair plus SCR with LHB between February 2021 and June 2022. All patients completed pre-operative and one-year post-operative evaluations for tendon type of tear and tendon integrity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)after one year of the surgery. Besides, functionality was evaluated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; the visual analog scale for pain (VAS); and the Constant score.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patients completed the one-year final evaluation, they presented an increased functionality score to 83 and 86 in Constant and ASES scales (p < .001), respectively. Besides, 84% of the patients presented a healed cuff, while rerupture occurred in 16% of the patients. There were differences between the healed and rerupture patients in the total Constant score, with a remarkable increase in the strength subscale, almost double for patients with healed cuff (p < .001); in the same way, daily life activity score, and balance subscale increased, while pain score decreased in the healed cuff group (p < .05). There was no difference in functionality between men and women (p > .05). Besides, almost all patients achieved the MCID in both ASES and Constant total scores, irrespectively of the healing group.

CONCLUSION

The cuff repair using SCR with the LHB achieved a low percentage of rerupture and a functional improvement after one year of follow-up. Patients who healed the lesion presented more strength and better performance in daily life activities than those with cuff repurture. Thus, SCR + LHB procedure can be considered an efficient technique for rotator cuff repair surgery for both men and women. Although a comparison with a control group is needed to confirm these findings.

Motivation and Barriers to Postoperative Rehabilitation Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Rotator Cuff Injuries: A Qualitative Study

Objective

Postoperative rehabilitation is particularly important for Rotator cuff injury. However, type 2 diabetic patients with RCI (T2DM-RCI) are at an elevated risk of rehabilitation failure. The factors influencing the postoperative rehabilitation management of these patients have yet to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the postoperative rehabilitation of T2DM-RCI patients.

Methods

Data was collected using a descriptive qualitative research design. The sample included 22 interviewees, who were recruited in Subei People's Hospital according to the purposive sampling method. Colaizzi's method was employed for the purpose of evaluation in the course of the data analysis.

Findings

Thematic analysis of the postoperative rehabilitation views of the interviewees identified eight sub-themes connected to three main themes in accordance with the Behaviour Change Wheel Theory. These were capability-related, opportunity-related, and motivation-related factors.

Conclusion

It is imperative to enhance the glycaemic control and health perception of T2DM-RCI patients. To this end, rehabilitation programmes, comprising exercise and dietary modifications, must be tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Furthermore, it is crucial to harness the potential of family and social support to motivate patients to maintain a positive outlook.

Long head of the biceps tendon versatility in reconstructive shoulder surgery: a narrative review of arthroscopic techniques and their biomechanical principles with video presentation

The management of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) during shoulder arthroscopy has been a subject of controversy for many years, with evolving discussions and trends. Despite long-standing debate, the nature of the surgical indication regarding how to treat concomitent LHBT injuries has undergone changes in recent years. It now extends beyond the timing of tenotomy to encompass considerations of alternative methods for preserving the LHBT, along with an ongoing exploration of how it can be effectively utilized in reconstructive shoulder surgery. Recent techniques describe approaches to using LHBT in a wide range of procedures, from shoulder instability to rotator cuff tears. Additionally, LHBT-based reconstructive techniques have surfaced for addressing what were formerly denoted as irreparable rotator cuff tears. While current literature provides detailed anatomical descriptions of the LHBT and many reports of novel, advanced techniques, there is still much debate regarding the decision-making process in each case. Because of the growing number of emerging techniques and the escalating debate in the subsequent paper, a decision has been made to present the current literature review concerning the potential utilization of LHBT in shoulder arthroscopy. In a dedicated video, we demonstrate the main arthroscopic techniques employed by the authors in their daily practice.