Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Achilles Tendon Allograft

Editorial Commentary: Superior Capsular Reconstruction With Achilles Allograft Can Reverse Pseudoparalysis While Improving Functional Patient Outcomes

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears represent a vexing problem, particularly in the physiologically young patient with no glenohumeral arthritis and high functional expectations. Not even the last line of defense, the reverse shoulder arthroplasty, can help all of our patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears and resultant pseudoparalysis, and in younger patients, joint preservation could be a preferable first-line intervention. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) shares the joint-preservation arena with an evolving multitude of options, including arthroscopic debridement, partial rotator cuff repair, biologic tuberoplasty, interposition balloon spacer, and lower trapezius tendon transfer. SCR shows promising biomechanical and clinical outcomes, including restoration of native glenohumeral biomechanics and contact pressures, achievement of humeral head depression, reduction of pain, and improved patient-reported outcome measures and range of motion, despite a high rate of graft retear or discontinuity. Yet, comparable results may be achieved via simpler procedures, including debridement, partial repair, tuberoplasty, and/or spacer. Ultimately, the true value of SCR, or any other technique, would be proven improvement in strength or survivorship from subsequent surgery, particularly reverse arthroplasty. Optimizing indications for these constantly evolving techniques is a moving target and essential for selecting the greatest value procedures for patients on the basis of their individual needs.

Calcaneum-Achilles Tendon Allograft for Massive Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Lesion With Bony Deficiency

Dealing with massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears presents intricate challenges. Concerning elder patients, either conservative management or reverse shoulder arthroplasty could be the most appropriate treatment. On the other hand, in younger patients, there is a wide spectrum of solutions, most of them being under evaluation and not completely validated. The complexity increases when a greater tuberosity avulsion occurs at the same time. Regardless of whether surgical fixation is performed, there is a risk for bone resorption, which would result in the posterosuperior cuff's insertion spot loss. In this case, the surgeon is expected to simultaneously manage the bone loss and the tendon tear. The Calcaneum-Achilles Tendon Allograft (CalATA) therefore appears to play an interesting role due to its solid bone-tendon structure. This Technical Note aims to present the CalATA technique, which consists in both tendon and bone deficiency restoration in massive rotator cuff tears with greater tuberosity resorption.

Patients With Intact Shoulder Superior Capsular Reconstruction Grafts on Ultrasound Show Significant Improvement in Functional Outcomes at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Purpose

To assess the utility of using dynamic ultrasound for postoperative evaluation after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) by evaluating graft integrity and its correlation with clinical outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients who underwent SCR between July 2015 and July 2020 with a minimum 2-year clinical and ultrasound follow-up. Clinical outcome measures included Simple Shoulder (SS) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) scores. Integrity of the SCR graft was evaluated by dynamic ultrasound.

Results

We evaluated 22 shoulders in 21 patients with a mean follow-up of 44.8 months (range, 24-71 months). The graft was found to be intact by ultrasound evaluation in 82% (18/22). Patients with intact grafts had higher mean SS (11.6 vs 7.8, P = .00079) and ASES (91.2 vs 64.1, P = .0296) scores at latest follow-up compared to those with failed grafts. Those with intact grafts also had significant improvement in SS (3.7 vs 11.6, P < .00001) and ASES (23.2 vs 91.2, P < .00001) scores at latest follow-up compared to their preoperative scores. In contrast, patients with graft failure had no significant improvement in SS (6.3 vs 9.0, P = .123) and ASES (40.4 vs 58.3, P = .05469) scores at latest follow-up compared to their preoperative scores. There was no difference between clinical outcomes at 6 to 12 months vs latest follow-up for both SS (P = .11, P = .5) and ASES (P = .27, P = .21) scores.

Conclusions

SCR grafts were found by ultrasound to be intact in 82% of cases. Patients with intact grafts on ultrasound had significant improvement in functional outcome scores while those with graft failure did not. Functional outcome scores suggest that maximal recovery from this procedure occurs by 6 to 12 months.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction With the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon to Reinforce the Repair of a Supraspinatus Tear and Increase Healing

Rotator cuff tears continue to be a challenge for the shoulder surgeon since there is still a high rate of retears. To increase the rate of repair and decrease the number of retears, we present a technique, in which we reinforce a tension-free double-row repair of the supraspinatus with reconstruction of the superior capsule with the long head of the biceps (LHB). With this reinforcement of the cuff suture using the LHB, we increase both the biomechanics and biology of the repair and decrease the rate of reruptures.

Early Treatment of Shoulder Pathology Is Necessary but Not Enough Is Being Performed

Delayed treatment of shoulder instability results in bone loss requiring more-complicated surgery, in turn resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Similarly, delayed treatment of repairable rotator cuff tears results in irreparable tears requiring more-complicated surgery and resulting in less-optimal outcomes. Delayed treatment of shoulder pathology is a problem. Solutions include education and research investigation.

Biomechanical Assessment of a V-Shaped Semitendinosus Allograft Anterior Cable Reconstruction for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to biomechanically assess superior stability, subacromial contact pressures, and glenohumeral kinematics of a V-shaped anterior cable reconstruction with semitendinosus allograft (VST) in a massive rotator cuff tear (MCT) model.

METHODS

Eight cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 66 years; range, 48 to 72 years) were tested with a custom testing system used to evaluate superior translation, subacromial contact pressure, and glenohumeral kinematics at 0°, 20°, and 40° glenohumeral abduction and 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of external rotation (ER). Conditions tested included (1) native state, (2) MCT (complete supraspinatus and ½ infraspinatus), a (3) VST. The VST was secured medially on the glenoid with 1 anchor and on the greater tuberosity with a double-row configuration using 4 anchors.

RESULTS

The VST significantly decreased superior translation compared to the MCT at 0° and 20° glenohumeral abduction for 0°, 30°, and 60° humeral rotation and at 40° abduction and 0° degrees humeral rotation (P < .05). Superior translation following the VST remained significantly greater than the intact state at 0° abduction and 60° and 90° ER (P = .039 and 0.007, respectively) and 20° abduction and 30°, 60°, and 90° ER (P = .048, .003, and .004, respectively). The VST restored peak subacromial contact pressure to intact levels for all positions except 40° abduction and 60° ER. The VST did not statistically affect humeral head kinematics compared to the intact condition.

CONCLUSIONS

In a biomechanical model, a VST anterior cable reconstruction partially restores superior stability and reduces peak subacromial contact pressure associated with an MCT, without affecting glenohumeral kinematics. The technique may be a consideration in the treatment of an irreparable MCT with isolated anterior cable disruption.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The VST may provide an option for treatment of irreparable MCTs with anterior rotator cable disruption.

Achilles Tendon–Bone Block Allograft for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears With Bony Deficiency of the Greater Tuberosity: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-up Study

Background:

Massive rotator cuff tears associated with greater tuberosity bone loss are challenging to treat. Repairing the rotator cuff without addressing the greater tuberosity deficiency may result in poorer clinical outcomes.

Hypothesis:

Utilizing an Achilles tendon–bone block allograft to address both the massive rotator cuff tear and greater tuberosity bone loss concurrently can result in improved clinical outcomes.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

The authors performed a retrospective study of patients treated between January 2011 and December 2018 with Achilles tendon–bone block allograft for massive rotator cuff tears associated with greater tuberosity bone loss. The inclusion criteria were massive rotator cuff tear and bony deficiency of the greater tuberosity; patients with a history of bony metabolism disease, connective tissue disease, and previous surgery to the wrist or elbow of the affected limb were excluded. Range of motion, visual analog scale for pain, Constant score, and Single Numeric Assessment Evaluation score were assessed preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Radiographs and ultrasound images were evaluated to assess allograft union and rotator cuff integrity.

Results:

Five patients (3 male and 2 female; mean age, 54.0 ± 12.2 years) were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 80.6 ± 33.7 months. Preoperative to postoperative values improved significantly on the visual analog scale (from 45.8 ± 25.5 to 14.5 ± 14.1; P = .04), Constant score (from 36.8 ± 7.9 to 73.5 ± 3.1; P < .001), and Single Numeric Assessment Evaluation score (from 42.5 ± 26.3 to 82.5 ± 10.4; P = .04). Forward flexion improved significantly from 53° ± 47° to 149° ± 17° (P = .03). Four of the 5 patients achieved bony union. One patient required removal of symptomatic hardware at 6 months postoperatively, and 1 patient required revision surgery at 1 year postoperatively because of progressive osteonecrosis of the humeral head.

Conclusion:

In patients with massive rotator cuff tears and a greater tuberosity bony deficiency, utilizing an Achilles tendon–bone block allograft to restore the bony defect and reinforce the rotator cuff repair was safe and effective. At a minimum of 2 years postoperatively, most patients demonstrated improved clinical outcomes, tendon healing, and graft incorporation.

Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Achilles Tendon Allograft for Massive and Revision Rotator Cuff Tears

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCT) in younger and active patients remain a significant clinical challenge to orthopaedic surgeons. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) has been presented as a way to restore the restraining effect of the superior joint capsule and the balanced force couples necessary for dynamic shoulder function; furthermore, it does not exclude future treatment options. The purpose of this article is to show a technical modification of the SCR in massive and revision RCT using Achilles tendon allograft as an effective static restraint to prevent superior migration of the humeral head due to its thickness and robustness, and performing a side-to-side repair on the greater tuberosity between the graft and the residual infraspinatus tendon to completely restore the superior stability of the shoulder joint.

Advancement in Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tear

Irreparable massive rotator cuff tear (IMRCT) was one of the causes of shoulder dysfunction, despite technical improvement, the failure rate of IMRCT was still demonstrated to be high. Traditional treatments like non-surgical treatments, partial rotator cuff repair, and tendon transfers could only achieve a slight improvement. A potential cause for high failure rate was the fact that traditional treatments cannot restore the superior stability of glenohumeral joint, and thus restricted the movement of shoulder joint severely. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using a variety of grafts (autograft, allograft, xenograft, or synthetic grafts) provided a promising option for IMRCT. In surgery, graft was fixed medially to superior glenoid and laterally to the footprint of humeral greater tuberosity. SCR could increase the stability of the superior glenohumeral joint, decrease the subacromial pressure and acromiohumeral distance. This review summarized the relevant literature regarding the alternative grafts, surgery indications, operative techniques and clinical outcomes of SCR. we compared the different grafts, key surgical steps, the advantages and disadvantages of different surgical methods to provide clinicians with new surgical insights into the treatments of IMRCT. In conclusion, IMRCT without severe glenohumeral arthritis was the best suitable indication for SCR. The clinical outcomes were positive in the short-term and middle-term following-up. More studies were necessary to determine long-term results of this surgical procedure.

Achilles Tendon Allograft for Superior Capsule Reconstruction in Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Backgroud

Treatment remains a challenge in massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs), and superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) has become an increasingly popular choice. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes after SCR using an Achilles tendon allograft in irreparable massive RCTs.

Methods

From December 2015 to March 2018, 11 patients (mean age, 66.3 ± 5.8 years) with irreparable massive RCTs who underwent SCR using an Achilles tendon allograft were enrolled in this study. The range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), clinical scores, muscle strength, and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) were measured preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months, and final follow-up postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively to assess the global fatty degeneration index and graft failure. Ultrasonography was also conducted preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months, and final follow-up postoperatively to assess graft continuity.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 27.6 months (range, 24–32 months). The shoulder ROM at final follow-up increased significantly in forward flexion (p = 0.023), external rotation (p = 0.018), internal rotation (p = 0.016), and abduction (p = 0.011). All patients showed improvement in VAS score (p = 0.005) and clinical scores (p < 0.001) compared with the preoperative state. Pseudoparalysis improved in all patients. The AHD was 3.88 mm (± 1.21 mm) preoperatively, 7.75 mm (± 1.52 mm, p = 0.014) at 6 months postoperatively, and 6.37 mm (± 1.72 mm, p = 0.031) at final follow-up. Graft removal and synovectomy were performed in 1 patient who developed postoperative infections. Radiological failure on follow-up MRI occurred in 2 patients at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, respectively.

Conclusions

SCR using an Achilles tendon allograft in irreparable massive RCTs achieved functional and clinical improvement. The use of Achilles tendon allograft also has the advantages of short operation time without donor site morbidity, sufficient thickness, and robustness; therefore, this allograft can be a useful graft for SCR.

Failure Rate After Superior Capsular Reconstruction With Achilles Tendon-Bone Allograft for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Background

Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) is an alternative to reverse shoulder arthroplasty for irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs). The reconstructed capsule acts as a static restraint to prevent superior migration of the humeral head. Traditional SCR uses a fascia lata autograft, which has shown failure at the greater tuberosity. An Achilles tendon-bone allograft has been proposed to improve the failure rate.

Purpose

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of SCR using an Achilles tendon-bone allograft for the treatment of IRCTs.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 6 patients with massive IRCTs who underwent SCR using an Achilles tendon-bone allograft between January 2017 and January 2018. Clinical outcomes were assessed using range of motion, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the visual analog scale for pain. The acromiohumeral distance and the status of graft integrity were evaluated using serial magnetic resonance imaging. Second-look arthroscopy surgery was performed to evaluate graft integrity at the mean of 7.5 months postoperative.

Results

The mean ± SD clinical follow-up period was 14.5 months (range, 12-17 months). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and visual analog scale scores improved from 42.8 ± 11.9 and 4.0 ± 1.2 to 62.1 ± 14.7 and 2.8 ± 1.4, respectively. Forward flexion and external rotation improved from 98° ± 36° and 58° ± 4° to 123° ± 20° and 39° ± 8°, respectively. The acromiohumeral distance improved from 3.9 ± 0.8 mm to 6.4 ± 2.2 mm at final follow-up. However, second-look arthroscopy at a mean of 7.6 months postoperatively confirmed a graft failure rate of 83.3%.

Conclusion

SCR using an Achilles tendon-bone allograft for the treatment of IRCTs had a high graft failure rate among patients in this case series.

Superior Capsular Reconstruction With Double Bundle of Long Head Biceps Tendon Autograft: The "Box" Technique

The superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) is an arthroscopic surgical technique recently introduced as an effective solution to restore the defect of superior articular capsule in massive rotator cuff tears that cannot be repaired anatomically. The SCR retains static stability and inhibits the proximal humeral migration, thereby optimizing the force couples about the shoulder. In this surgical technique paper, we present our technique of SCR using a double bundle construct of long head of biceps tendon, called the "box" technique. It is always combined with partial rotator cuff repair.