Risk factors for and prognosis of folded rotator cuff tears: a comparative study using propensity score matching

Comparison of clinical outcome and repair integrity after arthroscopic suture-bridge and triple-row rotator cuff repairs of Fosbury flop tears

BACKGROUND

The Fosbury flop tear (FFT) has recently been described as a rotator cuff tear that has flipped upon itself and adhered medially. FFT is known to have a high retear rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The cause of the high postoperative retear rate after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is believed to be due to the inability to achieve anatomical reduction because of difficulties in reducing the torn tendon stump. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs using the triple-row technique may allow better anatomical reduction of the cuff tear when compared with the suture-bridge technique. We compared the clinical outcomes and cuff integrity of the triple-row and suture-bridge techniques in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for FFT.

METHODS

Patients with small-to-medium sized cuff tears of the supraspinatus tendon alone who were diagnosed with FFT, underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and had 2 or more years of follow-up were included. A total of 34 shoulders underwent the triple-row technique and 22 shoulders underwent the suture-bridge technique. The following were compared between the two techniques: patient background, operation time, number of anchors used during the operation, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, active range of motion, and retear rate.

RESULTS

No significant difference in patient background was found between the two techniques. Although active range of motion was significantly improved compared with preoperative scores, no significant difference was observed between techniques. The triple-row technique demonstrated a significantly higher 24-month postoperative JOA score, significantly shorter surgery time, significantly lower retear rate, and significantly larger number of anchors used during the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

The triple-row technique was an effective method compared with the suture-bridge technique in cases with FFT.

Factors associated with healing failure after early repair of acute, trauma-related rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

Healing failure after rotator cuff repair is a challenging problem. Acute, trauma-related tears are considered a separate entity and are often treated surgically. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with healing failure in previously asymptomatic patients with trauma-related rotator cuff tears treated with early arthroscopic repair.

METHODS

This study included 62 consecutively recruited patients (23% women; median age, 61 years; age range, 42-75 years) with acute symptoms in a previously asymptomatic shoulder and a magnetic resonance imaging-verified full-thickness rotator cuff tear after shoulder trauma. All patients were offered, and underwent, early arthroscopic repair, during which a biopsy specimen was harvested from the supraspinatus tendon and analyzed for signs of degeneration. Of the patients, 57 (92%) completed 1-year follow-up and underwent assessment of repair integrity on magnetic resonance images according to the Sugaya classification. Risk factors for healing failure were investigated using a causal-relation diagram where age, body mass index, tendon degeneration (Bonar score), diabetes mellitus, fatty infiltration (FI), sex, smoking, tear location regarding integrity of the rotator cable, and tear size (number of ruptured tendons and tendon retraction) were included and analyzed.

RESULTS

Healing failure at 1 year was identified in 37% of patients (n = 21). A high degree of FI of the supraspinatus muscle (P = .01), a tear location including disruption of rotator cable integrity (P = .01), and old age (P = .03) were associated with healing failure. Tendon degeneration as determined by histopathology was not associated with healing failure at 1-year follow-up (P = .63).

CONCLUSION

Older age, increased FI of the supraspinatus muscle, and a tear including disruption of the rotator cable increased the risk of healing failure after early arthroscopic repair in patients with trauma-related full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Posterior Rotator Cuff Tears: Is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy a Risk Factor?

Background

Negative effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on vulnerable tendon structures have been reported. Meanwhile, tears of the posterior rotator cuff tendon, which is thinner than the anterior, are not common, and the clinical features remain poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between ESWT and posterior rotator cuff tears (RCTs) by investigating the risk factors.

Methods

Of 294 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair between October 2020 and March 2021, a posterior RCT more than 1.5 cm from the biceps tendon or an isolated infraspinatus tear was identified in 24 (8.1%, group P). Sixty-two patients (21%) with an anterior RCT within 1.5 cm of the biceps tendon were analyzed as a control group (group A). Preoperative clinical characteristics were assessed to determine the risk factors of posterior RCTs.

Results

Calcific deposits were more frequently observed in group P (n = 7, 29.2%) than group A (n = 6, 9.7%, p = 0.024). Further, those in group P were more likely to undergo ESWT (n = 18, 75.0%) than those in group A (n = 15, 24.2%, p < 0.001). Of these, 7 patients experiencing calcific tendinitis from group P (29.2%) and 4 from group A (6.5%, p = 0.005) underwent ESWT for calcification removal. Furthermore, 11 patients experiencing tendinopathy from group P (45.8%), and 11 from group A (17.7%, p = 0.007) underwent ESWT for pain relief. The mean level of fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus was significantly higher in group A than group P (1.8 vs. 1.0, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Since a high prevalence rate of posterior RCTs was related to ESWT, it should be carefully considered when treating calcific tendinitis or pain in patients experiencing tendinopathy.

Real-world data and evidence in pain research: a qualitative systematic review of methods in current practice

The use of routinely collected health data (real-world data, RWD) to generate real-world evidence (RWE) for research purposes is a growing field. Computerized search methods, large electronic databases, and the development of novel statistical methods allow for valid analysis of data outside its primary clinical purpose. Here, we systematically reviewed the methodology used for RWE studies in pain research. We searched 3 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science) for studies using retrospective data sources comparing multiple groups or treatments. The protocol was registered under the DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/KGVRM. A total of 65 studies were included. Of those, only 4 compared pharmacological interventions, whereas 49 investigated differences in surgical procedures, with the remaining studying alternative or psychological interventions or epidemiological factors. Most 39 studies reported significant results in their primary comparison, and an additional 12 reported comparable effectiveness. Fifty-eight studies used propensity scores to account for group differences, 38 of them using 1:1 case:control matching. Only 17 of 65 studies provided sensitivity analyses to show robustness of their findings, and only 4 studies provided links to publicly accessible protocols. RWE is a relevant construct that can provide evidence complementary to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), especially in scenarios where RCTs are difficult to conduct. The high proportion of studies reporting significant differences between groups or comparable effectiveness could imply a relevant degree of publication bias. RWD provides a potentially important resource to expand high-quality evidence beyond clinical trials, but rigorous quality standards need to be set to maximize the validity of RWE studies.

Retear After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Results in Functional Outcome Deterioration Over Time

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of retear on long-term functional outcomes and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis (OA) progression after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ASRCR).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 201 patients who underwent ASRCR and were followed up for at least 5 years. Rotator cuff tendon structural integrity was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and/or ultrasonography. Pain, active range of motion, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) were evaluated for functional outcomes. To evaluate deterioration over time, the minimal clinically important difference value of pain and ASES were used.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 8.6 ± 2.2 years and overall retear rate was 21.4%. OA progression was strongly associated with retear (odds ratio 5.1, P < .001). Functional outcomes at the 2-year postoperative follow-up significantly improved compared to the preoperative status (all P < .017), regardless of retear. However, the retear group presented worse functional outcomes at the final follow-up (pain: 3.1 ± 2.6; ASES: 72.0 ± 17.4) than at the 2-year postoperative follow-up (pain: 1.2 ± 2.3, P = .014; ASES: 91.1 ± 9.9, P= .015) than the healed tendon group at final follow-up (pain: .6 ± 1.7; P < .001; ASES 95.5 ± 11.8; P < .001). The time for deterioration of pain (healed group vs. retear group: 5.5 ± 0.5 vs. 10.6 ± 0.4 years; P < .001) and ASES (healed group vs. retear group: 7.5 ± 0.5 vs. 12.8 ± 0.2 years; P < .001) decreased in the retear group.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional status improved after ASRCR in short- and long-term follow-up, regardless of retear. However, retear was strongly associated with OA progression, and long-term functional outcomes deteriorated over time in retear cases, which was not observed during short-term follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN

III, retrospective cohort study.

What Factors Are Associated with Symptomatic Rotator Cuff Tears: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff tears are common. A previous systematic review reported on factors associated with rotator cuff tears; however, it included relatively few studies and few variables, and in addition, it had considerable heterogeneity. To identify the factors associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears and to help guide clinicians to potentially modifiable factors, we felt a broader and more inclusive meta-analysis would be useful.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we asked what (1) demographic, (2) disease, and (3) imaging factors are associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears?

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched, and the search period were from the inception of each database through February 2021. The keywords included "risk factor," "rotator cuff injury," "rotator cuff tears," and "rotator cuff tendinitis." All comparative studies on symptomatic rotator cuff tears were included. We considered that the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear could be made by any imaging tool (MRI or ultrasound). We considered either partial- or full-thickness tears to be a rotator cuff tear. No language restrictions were applied. Twenty-six articles from 14 countries involving 9809 individuals, consisting of 3164 patients and 6645 controls, were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale were used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies, and the highest scores were 9 and 11, respectively. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for retrospective comparative studies, and the AHRQ was used to evaluate prospective comparative studies. The eight retrospective comparative studies we included were scored from 4 to 9. The quality score of the 18 prospective comparative studies ranged from 6 to 9. Publication bias was explored using the Egger test. Heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 value. If there was no heterogeneity (I2 ≤ 50%), a fixed-effects model was used to determine the overall effect size; if there was heterogeneity (I2 > 50%), a random-effects model was used to merge the effect values. A meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3, and the risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference of related factors were calculated.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis identified the following demographic factors associated with an increased risk of rotator cuff tears: older age (mean difference 3.1 [95% CI 1.4 to 4.8]; p < 0.001), greater BMI (mean difference 0.77 [95% CI 0.37 to 1.17]; p < 0.001), smoking (RR 1.32 [95% CI 1.17 to 1.49]; p < 0.001), dominant arm (RR 1.15 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.24]; p < 0.001), greater height (mean difference 0.9 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.4]; p < 0.001), and heavier weight (mean difference 2.24 [95% CI 0.82 to 3.66]; p = 0.002). Regarding disease factors, we found that traumatic events (RR 1.91 [95% CI 1.40 to 2.54]; p < 0.001) and hypertension (RR 1.50 [95% CI 1.32 to 1.70]; p < 0.001) were associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears. Regarding imaging factors, we found that the following three factors were associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears: greater acromion index (mean difference 0.11 [95% CI 0.06 to 0.16]; p < 0.001), greater critical shoulder angle (mean difference 1.9 [95% CI 1.5 to 2.3]; p < 0.001), and smaller glenoid version angle (mean difference -1.3 [95% CI -1.9 to -0.8]; p < 0.001). We found no association between the patient's sex or the presence or absence of thyroid disease and the likelihood of a rotator cuff tear being present.

CONCLUSION

This study identified several factors associated with symptomatic rotator cuff tears, including blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, and smoking. Clinicians may seek to modify these factors, possibly in patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears, but also in symptomatic patients who have not yet been diagnosed with rotator cuff tears because there would be no harm or risk associated with modifying any of the factors we identified. Future research should further study whether addressing these factors can delay the progression and size of rotator cuff tears.Level of Evidence Level III, prognostic study.

Risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rotator cuff tears are a common condition of the shoulder, and 20.7% of people with the condition have a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears and to provide evidence to support the accurate diagnosis of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Studies from PubMed, Embase and Web of Science published before 30 January 2021 were retrieved. All cohort studies and cross-sectional studies on risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included. A meta-analysis was performed in RevMan 5.3 to calculate the relative risks (RRs) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) of related risk factors. Stata 15.1 was used for the quantitative analysis of publication bias.

In total, 11 articles from six countries, including 4047 cases, with 1518 cases and 2529 controls, were included. The meta-analysis showed that age (MD = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.28, P = 0.004), hypertension (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.81, P = 0.0007) and critical shoulder angle (CSA) (MD = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.55 to 2.48, P < 0.00001) were risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Our results also suggested that body mass index, sex, dominant hand, smoking, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease were not risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Early identification of risk factors for full-thickness rotator cuff tears is helpful in identifying high-risk patients and choosing the appropriate treatment.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:1087-1096. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210027

Stump classification was correlated with retear in the suture-bridge and double-row repair techniques for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

PURPOSE

The Stump classification is significantly correlated with a retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. However, no study has evaluated whether or not the stump classification is correlated with retear in the suture-bridge or double-row repair techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between a retear and the stump classification in the suture-bridge and double-row repair techniques.

METHODS

Among 389 patients who underwent arthroscopic repairs of full-thickness rotator cuff tears using suture-bridge or double-row repair techniques, 326 patients (median age 67.0 years; range 25-85) were included. There were 51 small, 172 medium, 83 large, and 20 massive tears. Two hundred forty patients were treated with the suture-bridge technique, and 86 patients were treated with the double-row technique. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, the Cofield classification, anteroposterior and mediolateral tear size on preoperative MRI, global fatty degeneration index, and the stump classification. Cuff integrity was evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months after surgery. The patients were divided into the intact and retear groups and the relationship between the variables and retear was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The overall retear rate was 10.1%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of a retear were the stump classification type 3 (Odds ratio: 4.71, p = 0.0246), global fatty degeneration index (Odds ratio: 3.87, p = 0.0030), and anteroposterior tear size (Odds ratio: 1.07, p = 0.0077) in the suture bridge technique. In the double-row technique, the independent predictors of retear were stump classification type 3 (Odds ratio: 7.82, p = 0.0348), and age (Odds ratio: 1.22, p = 0.0163).

CONCLUSION

The stump classification was significantly correlated with retear in the suture-bridge and double-row repair technique. Stump classification type 3 was indicated to be an important risk factor for predicting retear.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.