National trends in rotator cuff repair

Causal language and inferences in observational rotator cuff database studies published from 2013 to 2022

Background

The use of large multi-institutional databases in rotator cuff repair (RCR) research is expanding, but these studies are observational and cannot establish causation. This study examines the prevalence of causal language in clinical RCR database studies published from 2013 to 2022.

Methods

Administrative database and clinical registry studies on RCR published in eight orthopaedic journals from 2013 to 2022 were systematically identified and graded by two reviewers for the presence, absence, or inconsistent use of causal language in both the title/abstract and the full text. Chi-squared analyses were conducted to examine if there was an association between the gradings of articles and both the journal and year of publication.

Results

Of 44 eligible articles, 14 were graded as consistently causal, 16 as inconsistent, and 14 as consistently non-causal. Chi-squared analyses revealed no statistically significant associations between the journal or year of publication and the title and abstract grading (p = 0.626, p = 0.277) or the full text grading (p = 0.374, p = 0.822).

Conclusion

Causal language was present in over two-thirds of observational RCR database studies published from 2013 to 2022. Authors should refrain from using causal language in database studies to prevent misleading readers and misinterpretation of findings.

Revision rotator cuff repair versus primary repair: an assessment of longitudinal outcomes in revision rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND

Information about outcomes after revision rotator cuff repair (RCR) is limited. A more thorough investigation of pain, range of motion (ROM), strength, and functional outcomes is needed. Comparing outcomes between primary and revision rotator cuff repair patients can help surgeons guide patient expectations of the revision procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of a revision repair group to a control group of primary RCR patients. We expect revision RCR patients to have worse clinical outcomes than primary RCR patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent primary or revision RCR between 2012 and 2020 was performed. The case group included 104 revision patients, and the control group included 414 primary RCR patients. Patient visual analog score for pain, ROM, strength, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant-Murley scores were collected at baseline, 12 months, 24 months, and final follow-up.

RESULTS

The average final follow-up was 43.9 months for primary patients and 63.8 months for revision patients. Three hundred fifty-two primary patients and 55 revision patients had a final follow-up of 2 or more years. By the final follow-up, primary patients had less pain than revision patients (Δ of 2.11, P < .0001), but both groups improved overall. Primary patients had significant improvements in forward flexion, external rotation, internal rotation, and abduction at 2 years that were lost by final follow-up, but revision patients did not experience any long-term improvement in ROM. These differences in ROM between groups were not significant. Supraspinatus strength in the revision group did not improve nor decline by final follow-up. By final follow-up, both primary and revision patients had improved SST and ASES scores from baseline. Primary patient ASES scores were 17.9 points higher (P < .0001) than revision patients by final follow-up, and there was no difference between groups in SST scores at this time.

CONCLUSION

Revision RCR significantly improves patient pain, SST score, and ASES score at 4 years. Revision patients should not expect to see the improvements in ROM that may occur after primary repair.

Decellularized tendon patch enhance biological and mechanical healing of large-to-massive rotator cuff tear in a rat chronic model: a comparison study of patch sterilization and storage methods

BACKGROUND

Large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (L-M RCTs) usually requires a patch to reconstruction. Decellularized tendon patch (DTP) was a biomimetic and effective material for reconstructing L-M RCTs. However, the protocol for DTP sterilization and storage is variable, which may influence their performance. The objective of this study is to optimize the protocol of DTP sterilization and storage and fabricate an off-the-shelf DTP with superior efficacy in enhancing the healing of L-M RCTs.

METHODS

DTPs were sterilized by ethylene oxide (EO) or gamma irradiation (GR), then preserved using cryo-preservation (CP) or freeze-drying (FD), thus preparing four kinds of DTPs (EO/CP-DTP, EO/FD-DTP, GR/CP-DTP, GR/FD-DTP). After evaluating their histology, microstructure, biomechanics, biocompatibility, and tenogenic inducibility in-vitro, a total of 88 male SD rats with chronic L-M RCTs were randomly divided into 4 groups, and then reconstructed with one of the four DTPs. At postoperative week 4 or 8, the supraspinatus tendon-to-humerus complexes were harvested for gross, micro-CT, histological, and mechanical evaluations.

RESULTS

In-vitro results indicated that the four kinds of DTPs showed excellent biocompatibility, and EO/CP-DTP showed an orderly collagen arrangement and higher tensile properties than the other DTPs. More importantly, the EO/CP-DTP can induce more interacted stem cells toward tenogenic lineages as compared with the other kinds of DTPs. Micro-CT showed that bony footprint in the four groups showed similar value in bone morphological parameters without significant difference. Histologically, the two CP-sterilized DTPs presented significantly higher scores than the FD-sterilized DTPs, while the EO/CP-DTP group exhibited slightly higher scores compared to the GR/CP-DTP group. As for the mechanical strength of the supraspinatus tendon-to-humerus complexes, a significantly higher failure load showed in the CP-sterilized DTPs when compared with the FD-sterilized DTPs at postoperative week 4 or 8.

CONCLUSION

DTP should be sterilized by EO and preserved using CP, owing that this type of DTP well preserved the intrinsic bioactivity and mechanical properties as well as showed superior efficacy in enhancing the healing of L-M RCTs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Basic Science Research; Animal Model.

No Short-term Clinical Benefit to Bovine Collagen Implant Augmentation in Primary Rotator Cuff Repair: A Matched Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Bovine bioinductive collagen implants (herein, "bovine collagen implant") can be used to augment rotator cuff repair. Concern exists that these bovine collagen implants may not yield clinical benefits and may actually increase postoperative stiffness and the need for reoperation.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

Among patients who underwent primary rotator cuff repair with or without a bovine collagen implant, we asked: (1) Did the proportion of patients undergoing reoperation for postoperative stiffness and inflammation differ between the bovine collagen implant and control groups? (2) Did short-term patient-reported outcomes differ between the two groups? (3) Did the proportion of patients receiving postoperative methylprednisolone prescriptions and corticosteroid injections differ between the two groups?

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, matched, comparative study of patients 18 years and older with minimum 2-year follow-up who underwent primary arthroscopic repair of partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears diagnosed by MRI. All procedures were performed by one surgeon between February 2016 and December 2021. During the period in question, this surgeon broadly offered the bovine collagen implant to all patients who underwent rotator cuff repair and who (1) consented to xenograft use and (2) had surgery at a facility where the bovine collagen implant was available. The bovine collagen implant was used in rotator cuff tears of all sizes per the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 312 patients were considered for this study (243 control, 69 implant). Minimum 2-year clinical follow-up data were available for 83% (201 of 243) of patients in the control group and 90% (62 of 69) of patients in the bovine collagen implant group. After we applied the exclusion criteria, 163 control and 47 implant group patients remained and were eligible for matching. Propensity score matching was conducted to balance cohorts by age, gender, race (Black, White, other), ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic), health insurance status, Area Deprivation Index, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, diabetes, smoking, rotator cuff tear size, concomitant surgical procedures, preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), VAS score for pain, and shoulder ROM. We included 141 patients (47 in the implant group and 94 in the control group) after matching. Patients were categorized according to whether they received the bovine collagen implant. Before matching, the control cohort was older (mean ± SD 57 ± 10 years versus 52 ± 11 years; p = 0.004), more likely to be White (58% versus 23%; p < 0.001), with a smaller proportion of concomitant distal clavicle excisions (43% versus 21%; p = 0.003), and a smaller proportion of "other" concomitant procedures (17% versus 6%; p = 0.011) compared with the implant cohort. After matching, the cohorts were well matched in all demographic variables. The primary study outcome was reoperation for inflammation and stiffness, defined as a failure of nonoperative treatment for a minimum of 9 months, including physical therapy, NSAIDs, at least one course of oral methylprednisolone, and at least one cortisone injection (reoperations for traumatic retears were excluded). Secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcomes (SSV, ASES score, and VAS score for pain), receipt of methylprednisolone prescriptions, and receipt of corticosteroid injections. Chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and independent-samples t-tests were used to assess relationships between treatment group and study outcomes.

RESULTS

A greater proportion of patients in the bovine collagen implant group (9% [4 of 47]) underwent reoperation for inflammation and stiffness than in the control group (0% [0 of 94]; p = 0.01). At minimum 2-year follow-up, the cohorts did not differ by ASES score (mean ± SD 81 ± 24 implant versus 85 ±19 control; p = 0.24), SSV (79 ± 24 implant versus 85 ± 18 control; p = 0.30), or VAS score for pain (2.0 ± 2.9 implant versus 1.5 ± 2.3 control; p = 0.11). The cohorts did not differ in the proportion who received postoperative corticosteroid injections (15% implant versus 11% control; p = 0.46) or methylprednisolone prescriptions (49% implant versus 37% control; p = 0.18).

CONCLUSION

At minimum 2-year follow-up, patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with bovine collagen implant augmentation had a greater proportion of reoperation due to inflammation and stiffness compared with patients who did not receive the implant. Furthermore, the implant offered no benefit in patient-reported outcomes or need for postoperative corticosteroid injections or methylprednisolone prescriptions. Because of the lack of clinical benefit and potential increase in postoperative complications, we recommend against the use of these bovine collagen implants unless high-quality randomized controlled trials are able to demonstrate their clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and overall safety.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

The Effect of Postoperative Tranexamic Acid and Dexamethasone on Quality of Recovery After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: a Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) commonly results in significant postoperative pain. Adjuncts like dexamethasone (DEX) and tranexamic acid (TXA) are used to enhance postoperative recovery. This study aimed to determine whether the combined application of TXA and DEX could improve postoperative recovery during the first 24 hours in ARCR patients. Our goal is to relieve the acute postoperative pain and promote fast recovery and rapid discharge for ARCR patients.

Patients and Methods

Ninety-six patients who underwent ARCR from December 2023 to March 2024 were enrolled in this double-blinded, randomized control trial (Registration number, ChiCTR2300078507). Patients were randomized to intravenously receive 200mL of normal saline (control group), 200mL of 1g TXA in saline (TXA group), or 200 mL of 1g TXA and 5mg DEX in saline (TXA+DEX group) within 2 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores every four hours within 24 hours, postoperative blood test results the day after surgery, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score at 3 months postoperatively.

Results

No significant differences in QoR-15 scores at 24 hours were observed among the groups [control, 127.0 (112.8, 138.0); TXA, 125.0 (116.5, 136.8); TXA+DEX, 132.0 (120.3, 140.8), p = 0.176]. VAS scores at 5-8 (placebo vs TXA+DEX, p = 0.014; TXA vs TXA+DEX, p = 0.002), 9-12 (placebo vs TXA+DEX, p = 0.008; TXA vs TXA+DEX, p < 0.001), and 13-16 (placebo vs TXA+DEX, p = 0.035; TXA vs TXA+DEX, p = 0.013) hours postoperatively showed a significant decrease for the TXA+DEX group compared with the control or TXA group. There were no significant differences in postoperative blood test results and ASES score at 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Postoperative application of TXA alone could not facilitate postoperative recovery during the first 24 hours in ARCR patients. Although the combination of TXA and DEX presented better levels of postoperative pain between 5 and 16 hours than the control and TXA alone, it did not significantly improve postoperative recovery quality. Further large-scale and multi-center investigation is required to determine if the combined application of TXA and DEX or TXA alone is beneficial for postoperative recovery in ARCR patients.

Biomechanical enhancement in rotator cuff repairs: the impact of innovative nanofiber technology

Background

Rotator cuff repair surgeries often face high failure rates, particularly in cases involving tendon degeneration. Traditional repair techniques and devices frequently fail to adequately restore a healthy native enthesis and strong tendon-bone integration. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel, fully synthetic, bioresorbable nanofiber scaffold in restoring the native enthesis and enhancing the biomechanical properties and overall success of rotator cuff repairs, particularly in the context of chronically degenerated tendons.

Methods

This study used an ovine model to simulate chronic tendon degeneration with subsequent rotator cuff transection and repair. All repairs were performed using the standard double-row configuration with suture tape; half of the repairs were augmented with the bioresorbable nanofiber scaffold. Nondestructive biomechanical testing was conducted to assess the strength of the repair constructs, followed by histological analysis of all tendon samples to evaluate tissue regeneration and integration at the repair site.

Results

Results demonstrated that the scaffold group achieved significantly improved biomechanical properties (peak force, peak stress, equilibrium force, and equilibrium stress) compared to the suture only group, indicating enhanced repair strength and native enthesis restoration. Scaffold samples exhibited significantly decreased cross-sectional areas (ie, less fibrosis) which were similar to healthy tendons. Histological findings indicated the scaffold did not impede re-establishment of Sharpey-like fibers at the tendon insertion.

Conclusion

This study provides compelling evidence that the use of a fully synthetic, bioresorbable nanofiber scaffold in rotator cuff repair significantly improves biomechanical outcomes and enthesis regeneration. These improvements were achieved while retaining close to native tendon thickness. The findings suggest that this scaffold represents a significant advancement in rotator cuff repair technology, offering a promising solution to enhance repair strength and quality of bone-tendon integration, especially in challenging cases of tendon degeneration.

Regional differences in reimbursement, volume, and patient characteristics exist for rotator cuff repairs: a temporal analysis from 2013 to 2021

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have demonstrated declining reimbursement and changing procedural utilization across multiple orthopedic subspecialties, yet a comprehensive examination of this has not been performed for rotator cuff repair (RCR), particularly at a geographic level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in reimbursement, utilization, and patient populations for open and arthroscopic RCRs from 2013 to 2021 at a national and regional level.

METHODS

The Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners database from years 2013 to 2021 were queried to extract all episodes of open chronic RCR, open acute RCR, and arthroscopic RCR. Utilization was measured as procedural volume per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Inflation-adjusted reimbursement, utilization, surgeon information, and patient characteristics were extracted for each procedure for each year. Data was stratified geographically based on US Census regions and rural-urban commuting codes. Kruskal-Wallis tests and linear regressions were performed to compare geographical areas.

RESULTS

Between 2013 and 2021, arthroscopic RCR utilization increased by 9.4% (11.0/10,000-12.0/10,000), while open chronic RCR utilization decreased by 58.8% (2.0/10,000-0.8/10,000). During that time, average inflation-adjusted reimbursement declined by 10.0% and 11.3% for arthroscopic and open chronic RCR, respectively. The increase in utilization and decrease in reimbursement was greatest in the Midwest. In 2021, arthroscopic RCR utilization was 12.0/10,000, while average reimbursement was $846.87, nationally. Utilization was highest in the South (14.5/10,000) and lowest in the Northeast (8.1/10,000) (P < .001). Alternatively, reimbursement was highest in the Northeast ($904.60) and lowest in the South ($830.80) (P < .001). The proportion of patients who were male, Medicaid eligible, or non-White was highest in the West (P < .001). Patients in the West also had the fewest comorbidities. Increased patient comorbidities, when controlling patient demographics, were associated with lower reimbursement nationally and within the Northeast (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Geographical discrepancies in RCR utilization and reimbursement exist. The South consistently demonstrates the highest utilization of RCR, while also having the lowest reimbursement. Alternatively, the Northeast has the lowest utilization but the highest reimbursement. Increased patient population comorbidities were associated with reduced RCR reimbursement for surgeons in the Northeast, but not in other regions.

Ezetimibe/Atorvastatin, a Treatment for Hyperlipidemia, Inhibits Supraspinatus Fatty Infiltration and Improves Bone-Tendon Interface Healing in a Rotator Cuff Tear Rat Model

BACKGROUND

Multiple factors, such as muscle fatty infiltration (FI), tendon collagen content, and collagen arrangement, determine bone-tendon interface (BTI) healing after rotator cuff (RC) repair.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of systemic administration of ezetimibe-atorvastatin (EZE/ATZ) combination on muscle FI and tendon collagen density and arrangement in an RC repair rat model.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

A total of 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided equally into control and EZE/ATZ groups and subjected to RC tendon repair surgery. Postoperatively, the EZE/ATZ group rats received a combination of EZE (10 mg/kg/d) and ATZ (20 mg/kg/d) for 4 weeks, after which they were sacrificed. Oil Red O staining was used to assess FI in the supraspinatus muscle. The expression of biomarkers related to muscle atrophy and FI was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. For the qualitative and quantitative analysis of FI-related biomarkers, immunohistochemical staining was performed. Biomechanical and histological analyses were performed to evaluate the quality of BTI healing after RC repair.

RESULTS

The EZE/ATZ group showed significantly lower FI compared with the control group (P < .001) and significantly downregulated expression of gene markers related to muscle atrophy and FI. On histological analysis, the EZE/ATZ group exhibited increased collagen type I contents, consistent collagen arrangement (P = .005), and significantly higher collagen density (P = .003) compared with the control group. Biomechanical analysis of the BTI healing revealed that the EZE/ATZ group had significantly increased ultimate strength (P = .006) compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Systemic EZE/ATZ administration suppressed supraspinatus FI by downregulating muscle atrophy-related and FI-related genes after RC repair. Additionally, EZE/ATZ use improved collagen biosynthesis, density, and arrangement at the BTI and significantly increased tensile strength.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results of the current study strongly advocate the use of EZE/ATZ to improve shoulder function and tendon healing after RC repair.

Analyzing practice pattern in treating partial-thickness rotator cuff tears: a dual perspective from national database and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons PARCIAL research group

Background

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs), often considered less severe than full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs), can be equally symptomatic. Despite the prevalence of PTRCTs, scholarly attention has predominantly focused on FTRCTs, resulting in a relative neglect of PTRCTs. This study aimed to assess the incidence of surgical repairs for PTRCTs in the United States (U.S.) using the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS) database and delineate practice patterns among a group of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) members.

Methods

The NASS database, representing approximately 67% of U.S. ambulatory surgical encounters, was queried to obtain the incidence of PTRCT and FTRCT repairs for the year 2019. Data on patient sex, hospital location, setting, teaching affiliation and size, and primary payor were also obtained. Separately, a retrospective chart review was conducted by 13 ASES research group members, collecting data on rotator cuff repairs performed from July 2021 to June 2022 at their individual institutions. Collected data included age, sex, extent and type of rotator cuff tears, duration of symptoms prior to surgical repair, and type and duration of nonoperative treatment.

Results

The NASS database showed that PTRCT repairs accounted for at least 23% of the 187,787 rotator cuff repairs performed in 2019, with potential underestimation due to unspecified tear categorization. The retrospective chart review of the ASES research group revealed that PTRCT repairs constituted 27.8% of all rotator cuff repairs with substantial variability among institutions (8.6%-67.1%), that nonoperative measures were commonly employed, with a mean 12-month duration before surgical repair, and that the most common type of nonoperative treatment was supervised physical therapy combined with corticosteroid injection (37.7%).

Discussion

This study revealed approximately one-fourth of all rotator cuff repairs conducted in the U.S. were attributed to PTRCTs with substantial variability in proportion of PTRCT repairs across individual orthopedic practices. The overall duration of nonoperative treatment was consistent with the existing literature. This study provides insights into the landscape of PTRCT repairs and associated practice patterns. Further investigation into factors influencing treatment decisions is warranted.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Interobserver Reliability of Rotator Cuff Tear Detection with Ultrasonography are Improved with Attentional Deep Learning

PURPOSE

Improve the accuracy of one-stage object detection by modifying the YOLOv7 with Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM), known as YOLOv7-CBAM, which can automatically identify torn or intact rotator cuff tendon to assist physicians in diagnosing rotator cuff lesions through ultrasound.

METHODS

Between 2020 and 2021, patients who experienced shoulder pain for over 3 months and had both ultrasound and MRI examinations were categorized into torn and intact group. To ensure balanced training, we included the same number of patients on both groups. Transfer learning was conducted using a pre-trained model of Yolov7 and an improved model with CBAM. The mean average precision (mAP), sensitivity and F1-score were calculated to evaluate the models. Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) method was employed to visualize important regions using a heatmap. Simulation dataset was recruited to evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical physicians using our AI-assisted model.

RESULTS

A total of 280 patients were included in this study, with 80% of 840 ultrasound images randomly allocated for model training. The accuracy for test set was 0.96 for Yolov7 and 0.98 for Yolov7-CBAM, the precision and sensitivity were 0.94 and 0.98 for Yolov7, 0.98 and 0.98 for Yolov7-CBAM. F1-score and mAP@0.5 were higher for Yolov7-CBAM (0.980 and 0.993) than Yolov7 (0.961 and 0.965). Furthermore, the Grad-CAM method elucidated that the deep learning model primarily emphasized hypoechoic anechoic defect within the tendon. Following adopting an AI-assisted model (YOLOv7-CBAM model), diagnostic accuracy improved from 80.86% to 88.86% (p=0.01) and interobserver reliability improved from 0.49 to 0.71 among physicians.

CONCLUSION

The YOLOv7-CBAM model demonstrate high accuracy in detecting torn or intact rotator cuff tendon from ultrasound images. Integrating this model into the diagnostic process can assist physicians in improving diagnostic accuracy and interobserver reliability across different physicians.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The attentional deep learning model aids physicians in improving the accuracy and consistency of ultrasound diagnosis of torn or intact rotator cuff tendons.

Evaluation of Pain Relief and Opioid Consumption With the Addition of an Erector Spinae Plane Catheter Block After an Interscalene Nerve Block in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Background

The effects of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block and interscalene nerve block (ISNB) on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) have been investigated separately.

Purpose

To evaluate whether additional catheterization for the ESP block can decrease acute postoperative pain and opioid consumption above the ISNB and multimodal oral analgesics in patients after arthroscopic RCR.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Included were patients who underwent primary arthroscopic RCR between January 1 and December 31, 2021, and received either ISNB (ISNB group) or additional ESP block catheterization (ESP block group) as part of their pain management. Patients who underwent concomitant shoulder procedures were excluded. Patient characteristics, surgical details, pre- and postoperative numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores, rescue analgesic use, and possible opioid-related side effects were recorded. The primary outcome was the NPRS score immediately after surgery; secondary outcomes included rescue opioid use and opioid-related side effects until patients were discharged the next day. The Mann-Whitney U test or the chi-square test was used for between-group comparisons. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors for total opioid consumption.

Results

A total of 54 patients were included-21 in the ISNB group and 33 in the ESP block group. The ESP block group exhibited significantly lower postoperative NPRS scores (2 ± 0.3 vs 3 ± 1.6 for ISNB; P = .003), reduced opioid consumption during hospitalization (0.5 ± 1.3 vs 6.1 ± 8.3 morphine milligram equivalent [MME] for ISNB; P < .001), and fewer opioid-related side effects (0 vs 3 for ISNB; P = .022). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the analgesic protocol (β = 5.750; P < .001) and the number of anchors used (β = 1.609; P = .022) were independently correlated with higher opioid consumption. Subgroup analysis revealed that additional ESP block significantly reduced opioid consumption during repairs involving ≥2 tendons (7.6 ± 9 vs 0.5 ± 1.4 MME; P < .001).

Conclusion

The study findings indicated that additional catheterization for the ESP block reduced postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and opioid-related side effects during the acute postoperative period of arthroscopic RCR when the ISNB and multimodal oral analgesics had already been administered. Future studies are needed to evaluate this treatment protocol.

Trends in inpatient versus outpatient upper extremity fracture surgery from 2008 to 2021 and their implications for equitable access: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe trends in inpatient and outpatient upper extremity fracture surgery between 2008 and 2021, along with identifying patient factors (age, sex, race, socioeconomic status) associated with outpatient surgery.

METHODS

Retrospectively, 12,593 adult patients who underwent upper extremity fracture repair from 2008 to 2021 at one of five urban hospitals in the Northeastern USA were identified. Using Distressed Communities Index (DCI), patients were divided into five quintiles based on their level of socioeconomic distress. Multivariable logistic regression was performed on patients from 2008 to 2019 to identify independent factors associated with outpatient management.

RESULTS

From 2008 to 2019, outpatient procedures saw an average increase of 31%. The largest increases in the outpatient management were seen in humerus (132%) and forearm fractures (127%). Carpal and hand surgeries had the lowest percent increase of 8.1%. Clavicle and wrist fractures were independently associated with outpatient management. Older age, male sex, higher Elixhauser comorbidity index, DCI scores in the 4th or 5th quintile, and fractures of the scapula, humerus, elbow, and forearm were associated with inpatient management. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in outpatient procedures.

CONCLUSION

There is a shift toward outpatient surgical management of upper extremity fractures from 2008 to 2021. Application of our findings can serve as an institutional guide to allocate patients to appropriate surgical settings. Moreover, physicians and institutions should be aware of the potential socioeconomic disparities and implement plans to allow for equal access to care.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate May Improve Healing and Function in Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To review the current literature regarding the use of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in rotator cuff repair surgery to determine variations in the preparation and administration of BMAC; assess the healing rates with the use of BMAC in terms of postoperative range of motion (ROM), patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), and retear rates; and analyze the safety of using BMAC.

METHODS

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses compliant search was performed. Two independent authors screened all suitable studies for their inclusion, obtained the data, and assessed risk of bias. The types of studies included in the analysis were human studies of randomized control trials, prospective cohort, case control, and case series.

RESULTS

Seven studies reported PROMs: 4 of 7 studies reported statistically significant improvements in at least 4 different scores, with 2 of 7 studies reporting general improvements in the BMAC groups (with no statistical analysis provided). Of the 2 comparative studies, neither was able to show a difference in PROMs between the control and biologic groups. Postoperative ROM was reported in 5 studies: 3 of 5 studies showed statistically significant improvement in ROM, 1 study showed general improvement (with no statistical analysis provided), and 1 study showed no difference in postoperative ROM between a BMAC and control group. Retear rates were mixed: 1 study reported that rates between the concentrated bone marrow aspirate and control group did not differ (P = .964), while another found that the mesenchymal stem cell augmentation improved healing both short term (6 months) and long-term (10 years). There were no complications associated with the use of BMAC in rotator cuff repairs in any of the studies included.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review shows that BMAC as an intervention in rotator cuff repair has not been associated with increased complication rates. In the available literature, there is significant heterogeneity among the included studies in terms of study design, patient demographics, surgical techniques, and methods of BMAC preparation and application as well as reported measures and follow-up periods. Some studies suggest that BMAC may enhance healing rates, pain relief, and functional improvements for both short- and long-term outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Defining the Cost of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Multicenter, Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing and Cost Optimization Investigation

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is a frequently performed outpatient orthopaedic surgery, with substantial financial implications for health-care systems. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) is a method for nuanced cost analysis and is a valuable tool for strategic health-care decision-making. The aim of this study was to apply the TDABC methodology to RCR procedures to identify specific avenues to optimize cost-efficiency within the health-care system in 2 critical areas: (1) the reduction of variability in the episode duration, and (2) the standardization of suture anchor acquisition costs.

METHODS

Using a multicenter, retrospective design, this study incorporates data from all patients who underwent an RCR surgical procedure at 1 of 4 academic tertiary health systems across the United States. Data were extracted from Avant-Garde Health's Care Measurement platform and were analyzed utilizing TDABC methodology. Cost analysis was performed using 2 primary metrics: the opportunity costs arising from a possible reduction in episode duration variability, and the potential monetary savings achievable through the standardization of suture anchor costs.

RESULTS

In this study, 921 RCR cases performed at 4 institutions had a mean episode duration cost of $4,094 ± $1,850. There was a significant threefold cost variability between the 10th percentile ($2,282) and the 90th percentile ($6,833) (p < 0.01). The mean episode duration was registered at 7.1 hours. The largest variability in the episode duration was time spent in the post-acute care unit and the ward after the surgical procedure. By reducing the episode duration variability, it was estimated that up to 640 care-hours could be saved annually at a single hospital. Likewise, standardizing suture anchor acquisition costs could generate direct savings totaling $217,440 across the hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter study offers valuable insights into RCR cost as a function of care pathways and suture anchor cost. It outlines avenues for achieving cost-savings and operational efficiency. These findings can serve as a foundational basis for developing health-economics models.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic and Decision Analysis Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Re-tear following rotator cuff repair: Do functional outcomes predict success?

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare functional outcomes between patients who were found to have a retear on ultrasound versus those with an intact repair following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study comparing functional outcomes of 84 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and were found to have a retear versus those who did not experience a retear. Functional outcomes included American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Simple Shoulder Test, strength and active range of motion (AROM) assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months.

Results

Patients without a retear by 6 months demonstrated greater improvements in internal rotation at 3 months (2.3° of mean change, p = 0.0356), as well as greater improvements in external rotation range of motion (8.8° of mean change, p = 0.0210) between 3 and 6 months as compared to those patients who did experience a retear. Both groups showed decreased pain scores and increased ASES scores at all points postoperatively.

Conclusions

Our study found statistically significant improvements in internal rotation at 3 months, and external rotation between 3 and 6 months in the non-retear group. No differences in functional outcomes existed between at final follow-up.

Beyond the Surgery: The Impact of Coping Strategies on Persistent Pain After Rotator Cuff Repair

Background: Rotator cuff repair is widely recognized as one of the most painful orthopedic surgeries, yet postoperative pain management in these patients is often underexplored. This study aimed to explore the relationship between pain outcomes and functional recovery six months after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), with a focus on the role of different pain coping mechanisms as mediators. Methods: This study included 83 patients that underwent rotator cuff repair. Pain levels were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF), while shoulder function was evaluated using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS). Coping strategies, including self-statements, ignoring pain, distraction, and praying, were examined in relation to pain severity and interference and were assessed with the Coping Strategies Questionnaire-Revised (CSQ-R). Simple and parallel mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro to assess the mediating effects of coping mechanisms on the relationship between pain intensity, pain interference, and postoperative OSS. Results: Post-surgery, patients showed a significant improvement in OSS (from 29 ± 9 to 42 ± 6). At six months, 24% of patients reported chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), defined as a pain severity score of 3 or higher. Correlation analyses revealed that OSS was negatively associated with pain catastrophizing (r = -0.35, p < 0.01) and praying (r = -0.28, p < 0.01). OSS was significantly negatively associated with pain severity (r = -0.54; p < 0.01) and pain interference (r = -0.51, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis demonstrated that coping self-statements significantly mediated the relationship between pain interference and shoulder function (a*b = 0.5266 (BootSE = 0.2691, 95% CI [0.1010, 1.1470]), emphasizing the important role of cognitive strategies in supporting recovery outcomes. Conclusion: Patients engaging in adaptive coping strategies, particularly coping self-statements, reported better functional outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions focusing on effective pain coping mechanisms to improve recovery post-ARCR.

Prevalence and treatment rates of osteoporosis among individuals with rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

The relationship between osteoporosis and rotator cuff tears has been reported previously. However, the treatment rate of osteoporosis in individuals with rotator cuff tear is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and treatment rate of osteoporosis in individuals with rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 207 participants. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments, including shoulder ultrasonographic examinations and quantitative ultrasound measurements for bone status evaluation. Osteoporosis diagnosis was predicated on a calcaneus ultrasound bone densitometry, and the cutoff value was set as a T score of -1.455, with reference to a previous report.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-six participants were classified as individuals without rotator cuff tears (group A), and 51 participants were classified as those with (group B). The mean age in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (63 ± 10 vs. 68 ± 9, respectively; P = .003). In terms of the T score examined by quantitative ultrasound, the mean T score in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (-1.4 ± 1.3 vs. -1.9 ± 1.6, respectively; P = .0412). The percentage of subjects with a T score of -1.455 or less in group B was 60.8% (31/51). The proportion of subjects with a T score of -1.455 or less undergoing osteoporosis treatment was 14.5% (12/83) in group A and 12.9% (4/27) in group B, showing no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with a rotator cuff tear had relatively high prevalence of osteoporosis. Among those with both a rotator cuff tear and osteoporosis, the proportion receiving osteoporosis treatment was l2.9%, a very low rate.

Biologic Augmentation of Rotator Cuff Repair: Current Concepts Review

Rotator cuff tears are common in an aging population. Thus far, primary repairs have shown high re-tear rates suggesting the need for improved healing modalities. Current augmentations of rotator cuff repairs include synthetic and biological scaffolds, surgical bone marrow venting, and infusing the repair with a variety of stem cells and growth factors aimed at restoring the native cellular structure and function of the repaired tissue. This current concepts review discusses the anatomy, physical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of rotator cuff tears; biological adjuvants for rotator cuff repairs; and the current literature on outcomes after biologically augmented rotator cuff repairs. [Orthopedics. 202x;4x(x):xx-xx.].

MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle

Disorders affecting the neurological and musculoskeletal systems represent international health priorities. A significant impediment to progress in trials of new therapies is the absence of responsive, objective, and valid outcome measures sensitive to early disease changes. A key finding in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders is the compositional changes to muscles, evinced by the expression of fatty infiltrates. Quantification of skeletal muscle composition by MRI has emerged as a sensitive marker for the severity of these disorders; however, little is known about the composition of healthy muscles across the lifespan. Knowledge of what is 'typical' age-related muscle composition is essential to accurately identify and evaluate what is 'atypical'. This innovative project, known as the MuscleMap, will achieve the first important steps towards establishing a world-first, normative reference MRI dataset of skeletal muscle composition with the potential to provide valuable insights into various diseases and disorders, ultimately improving patient care and advancing research in the field.

The influence of sex is a neglected focus in rotator cuff repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Rotator cuff (RC) disorders are the most common cause of shoulder disability. The aim of this study was to quantify the evidence on the sex-related differences in RC repair.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed in January 2023 in PubMed, Wiley Cochrane Library and Web of Science on research articles on humans with RC tears treated surgically. A meta-analysis was performed to compare results in men and women. The Downs and Black score and the modified Coleman methodology score (MCMS) were used to assess the retrieved studies.

RESULTS

A total of 39,909 patients were enroled in the 401 studies analysed (45% women, 55% men). A trend toward more sex-balanced recruitment was observed over time. Only 4% of the studies on 1.5% of the documented patients presented disaggregated outcome data and were quantitatively analysed. A tendency for lower range of motion values after surgery was found for external shoulder rotation in women, with 39.9° ± 6.9° versus 45.3° ± 4.1° in men (p = 0.066). According to Downs and Black scores, four studies were good and 12 fair, with a main MCMS score of 69/100.

CONCLUSION

There is a lack of awareness on the importance to document women- and men-specific data. Only 4% of the articles disaggregated data, and it was possible to analyse only 1.5% of the literature population, a sample which cannot be considered representative of all patients. The lack of disaggregated data is alarming and calls for action to better study men and women differences to optimise the management of RC tears. This will be necessary to provide sex-specific information that could be of clinical relevance when managing RC repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Compression of an Autograft Biceps Into an Augmentation Patch Does Not Cause Mechanical Damage to the Tenocyte

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of this graft preparation technique on histologic evidence of tenocyte mechanical damage.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients undergoing biceps tenodesis for shoulder pathology were evaluated. After suprapectoral tenodesis, 27 mm of the long head of the biceps was secured for compression into the patch. The remaining length of the residual tendon was longitudinally split, resulting in 2 equal lengths of remnant tendon from the same zone. One sample was sent to pathology with no preparation, and the other was prepared as a compressed biceps autograft patch according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Both grafts were sent to pathology for evaluation of tenocyte morphology. Records were reviewed to determine if compression resulted in mechanical damage to the tenocytes at the time of biceps augmentation.

RESULTS

Fifty-five shoulder procedures and 110 samples were sent for pathology analysis. Forty-two of the 55 (76%) specimens demonstrated morphologically normal tenocytes in both the compressed and noncompressed groups, and 7 (13%) cases showed evidence of tenocyte necrosis or mechanical damage in both groups. The difference in abnormal tenocyte morphology between the compressed and native groups was not statistically significant (P = .625).

CONCLUSIONS

Autograft biceps compression into a point-of-care patch did not result in mechanical damage to tenocyte morphology at the time of insertion for augmentation of rotator cuff pathology.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Free proximal biceps tendon compression can result in a patch that does not mechanically damage the tenocyte. The patch can be used as a biologic autograft to enhance shoulder rotator cuff repair, as well as subscapularis repair in the setting of shoulder arthroplasty.

Paracrine signals influence patterns of fibrocartilage differentiation in a lyophilized gelatin hydrogel for applications in rotator cuff repair

Rotator cuff injuries present a clinical challenge for repair due to current limitations in functional regeneration of the native tendon-to-bone enthesis. A biomaterial that can regionally instruct unique tissue-specific phenotypes offers potential to promote enthesis repair. We have recently demonstrated the mechanical benefits of a stratified triphasic biomaterial made up of tendon- and bone-mimetic collagen scaffold compartments connected via a continuous hydrogel, and we now explore the potential of a biologically favorable enthesis hydrogel for this application. Here we report in vitro behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) within thiolated gelatin (Gel-SH) hydrogels in response to chondrogenic stimuli as well as paracrine signals derived from MSC-seeded bone and tendon scaffold compartments. Chondrogenic differentiation media promoted upregulation of cartilage and entheseal fibrocartilage matrix markers COL2, COLX, and ACAN as well as the enthesis-associated transcription factors SCX, SOX9, and RUNX2 in hMSCs within Gel-SH. Similar effects were observed in response to TGF-β3 and BMP-4, enthesis-associated growth factors known to play a role in entheseal development and maintenance. Conditioned media generated by hMSCs seeded in tendon- and bone-mimetic collagen scaffolds influenced patterns of gene expression regarding enthesis-relevant growth factors, matrix markers, and tendon-to-bone transcription factors for hMSCs within the material. Together, these findings demonstrate that a Gel-SH hydrogel provides a permissive environment for enthesis tissue engineering and highlights the significance of cellular crosstalk between adjacent compartments within a spatially graded biomaterial.

The Predictors of Surgery for Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Change Over Time: Ten-Year Outcomes of the MOON Shoulder Prospective Cohort

BACKGROUND

A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment, defined as the patient undergoing surgery for symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. We present the 10-year follow-up data of this population to determine if predictors for surgery change over time, and secondarily we report the outcomes of the cohort.

METHODS

At the time of enrollment, demographic, symptom, rotator cuff anatomy, and patient-reported outcome data were collected in patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Patients underwent a standard physical therapy protocol for 6 to 12 weeks. Patient data were then collected at 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 years. Failure of nonoperative treatment was defined as the patient electing to undergo surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 452 patients in the original cohort, 20 patients (5%) withdrew from the study, 37 (9%) died before 10 years, and 40 (9%) were otherwise lost to follow-up. A total of 115 patients (27.0%) underwent a surgical procedure at some point during the 10-year follow-up period. Of these patients, 56.5% underwent surgery within 6 months of enrollment and 43.5%, between 6 months and 10 years. Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery. Workers' Compensation status and activity level were more important predictors of later surgery. Patient-reported outcome measures all improved following physical therapy. For patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure, patient-reported outcome measures did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery, whereas Workers' Compensation status and activity level were predictors of later surgery. Physical therapy was successful in >70% of patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears at 10 years. Outcome measures improved with physical therapy and did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Socioeconomic Status and Time to Treatment in Patients With Traumatic Rotator Cuff Tears

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic status (SES) affects access to care for traumatic rotator cuff (RTC) tears. Delayed time to treatment (TTT) of traumatic RTC tears results in worse functional outcomes. We investigated disparities in TTT and hypothesized that individuals from areas of low SES would have longer time to surgical repair.

METHODS

Patients who underwent repair of a traumatic RTC tear were retrospectively reviewed. Median household income and Social Deprivation Index were used as a proxy for SES. The primary outcome was TTT. Patients were further stratified by preoperative forward flexion and number of tendons torn.

RESULTS

A total of 221 patients met inclusion criteria. No significant difference in TTT was observed between income classes (P = 0.222) or Social Deprivation Index quartiles (P = 0.785). Further stratification by preoperative forward flexion and number of tendons torn also yielded no significant difference in TTT.

DISCUSSION

Contrary to delays in orthopaedic care documented in literature, our study yielded no difference in TTT between varying levels of SES, even when stratified by the severity of injury. Thus, we reject our original hypothesis. Based on our findings, mechanisms in place at our institution may have mitigated some of these health disparities within our community.

Comparison of ChatGPT versions in informing patients with rotator cuff injuries

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) can be recommended as a resource for informing patients planning rotator cuff repairs, and to assess the differences between ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 versions in terms of information content and readability.

Methods

In August 2023, 13 commonly asked questions by patients with rotator cuff disease were posed to ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4 programs using different internet protocol computers by 3 experienced surgeons in rotator cuff surgery. After converting the answers of both versions into text, the quality and readability of the answers were examined.

Results

The average Journal of the American Medical Association score for both versions was 0, and the average DISCERN score was 61.6. A statistically significant and strong correlation was found between ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 DISCERN scores. There was excellent agreement in DISCERN scores for both versions among the 3 evaluators. ChatGPT 3.5 was found to be less readable than ChatGPT 4.0.

Conclusion

The information provided by the ChatGPT conversational system was evaluated as of high quality, but there were significant shortcomings in terms of reliability due to the lack of citations. Despite the ChatGPT 4.0 version having higher readability scores, both versions were considered difficult to read.

Effect of Gabapentin on Tendon-to-Bone Healing in a Rat Model of Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND

Gabapentin is often used as an analgesic after rotator cuff repair surgery and is recommended as an additional analgesic for arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. However, evidence of its effects on biological healing mechanisms is lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of gabapentin in improving tendon-to-bone healing after rotator cuff repair using a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 male rats were randomly allocated to one of two groups: group 1 (repair only, n=10) or group 2 (gabapentin injection, n=10). The rats in the experimental group (group 2) were administered 80 mg/kg of gabapentin subcutaneously 30 minutes before surgery, followed by 80 mg/kg subcutaneously every 24 hours for 48 hours. We used the left shoulder of every rat, while for biomechanical analysis, we used the right shoulder.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the load to failure, ultimate stress, or elongation between the groups. Collagen continuity, orientation, and density were better in group 2 than group 1.

CONCLUSION

In a rat model of rotator cuff repair, gabapentin had a positive impact on the quality of collagen organization at the junction between the tendon and bone, while preserving the biomechanical properties. We propose the use of gabapentin as a supplementary analgesic agent for postoperative pain relief after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; however, further studies of the effect of gabapentin on biological healing mechanisms are required. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(5):e241-e246.].

Activation patterns of rotator-cuff muscles from quantitative IVIM DWI after physical testing

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic value of clinical rotator cuff (RC) tests is controversial, with only sparse evidence available about their anatomical specificity. We prospectively assessed regional RC muscle activation patterns by means of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after the execution of common clinical RC tests.

METHODS

Ten healthy subjects (five males, five females) underwent three sessions of diffusion-weighted 3-T shoulder MRI before and after testing the supraspinatus (SSP, Jobe test, session 1), subscapularis (SSC, lift-off test, session 2, at least 1 week later), and infraspinatus muscle (ISP, external rotation test, session 3, another week later). IVIM parameters (perfusion fraction, f; pseudo-diffusion coefficient. D*; and their product, fD*) were measured in regions of interest placed in images of the SSP, SSC, ISP, and deltoid muscle. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for group comparisons; p-values were adjusted using the Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

After all tests, fD* was significantly increased in the respective target muscles (SSP, SSC, or ISP; p ≤ 0.001). After SSP testing, an additional significant increase of fD* was observed in the deltoid, the SSC, and the ISP muscle (p < 0.001). After the SSC and ISP tests, no significant concomitant increase of any parameter was observed in the other RC muscles.

CONCLUSION

IVIM revealed varying activation patterns of RC muscles for different clinical RC tests. For SSP testing, coactivation of the deltoid and other RC muscles was observed, implying limited anatomical specificity, while the tests for the SSC and ISP specifically activated their respective target muscle.

RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Following clinical RC tests, IVIM MRI revealed that SSP testing led to shoulder muscle coactivation, while the SSC and ISP tests specifically activated the target muscles.

KEY POINTS

In this study, intravoxel incoherent motion MRI depicted muscle activation following clinical rotator cuff tests. After supraspinatus testing, coactivation of surrounding shoulder girdle muscles was observed. Subscapularis and infraspinatus tests exhibited isolated activation of their respective target muscles.

Clinical outcomes and direct cost analysis of rotator cuff repair surgery

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes in patients who underwent surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears using open and arthroscopic techniques, and to evaluate the direct costs involved.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study with analysis of the data of patients who were referred to two private hospitals in Sao Paulo, Brazil for surgical repair of the rotator cuff from January 2018 to September 2019. Clinical outcomes were assessed using functional scores (SPADI and QuickDASH) and a quality of life questionnaire (EuroQoL). Procedure costs were calculated relative to each hospital's costliest procedure.

RESULTS

Data from 362 patients were analyzed. The mean patient age was 57 years (SD= 10.46), with a slight male predominance (53.9%). Arthroscopic procedures were more common than open procedures (95.6% versus 4.4%). Significant clinical improvement was reported in 84.8% of the patients. The factors associated with increased surgery costs were arthroscopic technique (increase of 29.2%), age (increase of 0.6% per year), and length of stay (increase of 18.9% per day of hospitalization).

CONCLUSION

Rotator cuff repair surgery is a highly effective procedure, associated with favorable clinical outcomes and improvement in life quality, and low rates of complications. Arthroscopic surgery tends to be costlier than open surgery.

Ultrasound and patient-reported outcomes of rotator cuff repair with new acellular human allograft at 6 months and 1 year post surgery

Background

Determine the effect of a novel acellular cannulated dermal allograft on tendon-to-bone healing, retear rates, and clinical outcomes over a 12-month period.

Methods

This was a single surgeon prospective nonrandomized case series. Patients with medium sized full-thickness superior and posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, were consented. Patients were excluded if they had fatty atrophy indicative of Goutallier grade III or IV. The allograft is a cannulated rectangular prism that has a 5-year shelf life, does not require prehydration, and does not need to be trimmed to size. Outcome metrics included ultrasound assessment at 1-year as well as 6-month patient-reported outcomes (PROs) scores.

Results

31 patients consented and enrolled in this consecutive cohort series. 9 patients were excluded, and statistical analysis was performed on the remaining 22 patients. There were 9 females and 13 males. The average age was 59.27 ± 7.48 year old. The average supraspinatus short axis measurement in males was 0.56 ± 0.12 cm and 0.52 ± 0.09 cm in females (P = .44). The average supraspinatus long axis measurement in males was 0.61 ± 0.18 cm and 0.55 ± 0.14 cm in females (P = .46). The average infraspinatus short axis measurement in males was 0.48 ± 0.10 cm and 0.50 ± 0.13 in females (P = .74). The average infraspinatus long axis measurement in males was 0.44 ± 0.12 cm and 0.43 ± 0.08 cm in females (P = .84). Of the 19 patients who completed baseline and 6-month PRO's, 17 achieved the minimal clinical important difference for American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information SystemUE 7a. Retear occurred in 2 cases. The remaining 20 cases have all demonstrated healing or fully healed repairs at their most recent clinical visits with no additional cases of retears.

Conclusion

This study is the first to report the results of a novel acellular dermal allograft for rotator cuff repair augmentation. Satisfactory PRO measures and robust tendon healing at 1 year, as measured by ultrasound, demonstrate the utility of a cannulated human acellular dermal allograft as a viable biologic augmentation device for rotator cuff repair.

Evaluating The Effect of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with Concomitant Subacromial Decompression on 2, 4, and 6 Year Reoperation Rates

INTRODUCTION

The risks and benefits of including an arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) are uncertain. Some studies suggest no difference in revision surgery rates, whereas others have found higher revision surgery rates associated with concomitant ASD. In this study, we compare mid-term revision surgery rates in patients undergoing arthroscopic RCR with or without concomitant ASD.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using a national all-payer claims database. Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Disease , 10th Revision , codes were used to identify patients who underwent primary arthroscopic RCR with or without ASD in the United States. The primary study outcome was revision surgery at 2, 4, and 6 years. Univariate analysis was conducted on demographic variables (age, sex) and comorbidities in the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index using chi-square and Student t -tests. Multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 11,188 patients were identified who underwent RCR and met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 8,994 (80%) underwent concomitant ASD. Concomitant ASD was associated with lower odds of all-cause revision surgery to the ipsilateral shoulder at 2 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51 to 0.73), 4 years (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.70), and 6 years (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.69). Concomitant ASD was also associated with lower odds of revision RCR at 2 years (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.86), 4 years (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.78), and 6 years (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.76).

DISCUSSION

Arthroscopic RCR with concomitant ASD is associated with lower odds of all-cause revision surgery in the ipsilateral shoulder at 2, 4, and 6 years. The lower mid-term revision surgery rates suggest benefits to performing concomitant ASD with primary arthroscopic RCR. Continued research on the mid to long-term benefits of ASD is needed to determine which patient populations benefit most from this procedure.

DATA AVAILABILITY

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Does Reusable Instrumentation for Four-Anchor Rotator Cuff Repair Offer Decreased Waste Disposal Costs and Lower Waste-Related Carbon Emissions?

INTRODUCTION

Orthopaedic surgery is culpable, in part, for the excessive carbon emissions in health care partly due to the utilization of disposable instrumentation in most procedures, such as rotator cuff repair (RCR). To address growing concerns about hospital waste, some have considered replacing disposable instrumentation with reusable instrumentation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost and carbon footprint of waste disposal of RCR kits that use disposable instrumentation compared with reusable instrumentation.

METHODS

The mass of the necessary materials and their packaging to complete a four-anchor RCR from four medical device companies that use disposable instrumentation and one that uses reusable instrumentation were recorded. Using the cost of medical waste disposal at our institution ($0.14 per kilogram) and reported values from the literature for carbon emissions produced from the low-temperature incineration of noninfectious waste (249 kgCO 2 e/t) and infectious waste (569 kgCO 2 e/t), we estimated the waste management cost and carbon footprint of waste disposal produced per RCR kit.

RESULTS

The disposable systems of four commercial medical device companies had 783%, 570%, 1,051%, and 478%, respectively, greater mass and waste costs when compared with the reusable system. The cost of waste disposal for the reusable instrumentation system costs on average $0.14 less than the disposable instrumentation systems. The estimated contribution to the overall carbon footprint produced from the disposal of a RCR kit that uses reusable instrumentation was on average 0.37 kg CO2e less than the disposable instrumentation systems.

CONCLUSION

According to our analysis, reusable instrumentation in four-anchor RCR leads to decreased waste and waste disposal costs and lower carbon emissions from waste disposal. Additional research should be done to assess the net benefit reusable systems may have on hospitals and the effect this may have on a long-term decrease in carbon footprint.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Tranexamic Acid Can Reduce Early Tendon Adhesions After Rotator Cuff Repair and Is Not Detrimental to Tendon-Bone Healing: A Comparative Animal Model Study

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of topical tranexamic acid (TXA) administration on tendon adhesions, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and tendon healing in an acute rotator cuff repair rat model.

METHODS

A total of 20 Sprague Dawley rats were used. Tendon adhesion, ROM, and biomechanical and histological analysis of tendon-bone healing was conducted at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. The rats underwent rotator cuff repair surgery on both shoulders and were administered TXA via subacromial injections. The tendon adhesion was evaluated macroscopically and histologically. Biomechanical tendon healing was measured using a universal testing machine, and histological analysis was quantified by H&E, Masson's trichrome, and picrosirius red staining.

RESULTS

At 3 weeks after surgery, the adhesion score was significantly lower in the TXA group (2.10 ± 0.32) than in the control group (2.70 ± 0.48) (P = .005), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at 6 weeks. Regarding ROM, compared with the control group, the TXA group showed significantly higher external rotation (36.35° ± 4.52° vs 28.42° ± 4.66°, P < .001) and internal rotation (45.35° ± 9.36° vs 38.94° ± 5.23°, P = .013) 3 weeks after surgery. However, at 6 weeks, there were no significant differences in external and internal rotation between the 2 groups. In the biomechanical analysis, no significant differences in gross examination (3 weeks, P = .175, 6 weeks, P = .295), load to failure (3 weeks, P = .117, 6 weeks, P = .295), or ultimate stress (3 weeks, P = .602, 6 weeks, P = .917) were noted between the 2 groups 3 and 6 weeks after surgery. In the histological analysis of tendon healing, no significant differences in the total score (3 weeks, P = .323, 6 weeks, P = .572) were found between the 2 groups 3 and 6 weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical TXA administration showed a beneficial effect in reducing tendon adhesions and improving ROM 3 weeks postoperatively and had no effect at 6 weeks. This suggests that additional intervention with TXA may be useful in achieving long-term improvement in shoulder stiffness. Additionally, TXA may increase tissue ground substance accumulation in the late postoperative period but does not adversely affect tendon-bone interface healing.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The use of TXA after rotator cuff repair has no effect on tendon-bone interface healing in clinical practice and can improve shoulder stiffness in the early postoperative period. Additional research on the long-term effects is needed.

Delivering Microrobots in the Musculoskeletal System

Disorders of the musculoskeletal system are the major contributors to the global burden of disease and current treatments show limited efficacy. Patients often suffer chronic pain and might eventually have to undergo end-stage surgery. Therefore, future treatments should focus on early detection and intervention of regional lesions. Microrobots have been gradually used in organisms due to their advantages of intelligent, precise and minimally invasive targeted delivery. Through the combination of control and imaging systems, microrobots with good biosafety can be delivered to the desired area for treatment. In the musculoskeletal system, microrobots are mainly utilized to transport stem cells/drugs or to remove hazardous substances from the body. Compared to traditional biomaterial and tissue engineering strategies, active motion improves the efficiency and penetration of local targeting of cells/drugs. This review discusses the frontier applications of microrobotic systems in different tissues of the musculoskeletal system. We summarize the challenges and barriers that hinder clinical translation by evaluating the characteristics of different microrobots and finally point out the future direction of microrobots in the musculoskeletal system.

Rotator Cuff Repair: Racial Disparities in Operative Time and Utilization of Arthroscopic Techniques

Background Racial disparities are prevalent within the field of orthopedics and include the utilization of varying resources as well as outcomes following surgery. This study investigates racial differences between Black and White patients in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff repair (RCR) and 30-day postoperative complications following RCR. Materials and methods Data were drawn from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database to create a study population consisting of Black and White patients who underwent RCR between 2015 and 2019. A bivariate analysis was conducted to compare patient demographics and comorbidities. Multivariate logistic regression, controlling for all significantly linked patient demographics and comorbidities, was performed to examine the relationships between Black race and complications. Results Our analysis included 32,073 patients, of whom 3,318 (10.3%) were Black and 28,755 (89.7%) were White. The female gender, younger age groups, greater BMI groups, ASA classification ≥3, cigarette use, and comorbid congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes, and hypertension were all significantly associated with patients who identified as Black. We found no significant differences in 30-day postoperative complications between Black and White patients. Furthermore, Black patients were found to be independently associated with a greater likelihood of undergoing arthroscopic RCR versus open RCR, as well as experiencing a longer total operation time of ≥80 minutes. Conclusions We report no differences in 30-day postoperative complications between Black and White patients undergoing RCR between 2015 and 2019. However, Black race was independently associated with higher rates of arthroscopic RCR and longer operative times.

Python tooth-inspired fixation device for enhanced rotator cuff repair

Rotator cuff repair surgeries fail frequently, with 20 to 94% of the 600,000 repairs performed annually in the United States resulting in retearing of the rotator cuff. The most common cause of failure is sutures tearing through tendons at grasping points. To address this issue, we drew inspiration from the specialized teeth of snakes of the Pythonoidea superfamily, which grasp soft tissues without tearing. To apply this nondamaging gripping approach to the surgical repair of tendon, we developed and optimized a python tooth-inspired device as an adjunct to current rotator cuff suture repair and found that it nearly doubled repair strength. Integrated simulations, 3D printing, and ex vivo experiments revealed a relationship between tooth shape and grasping mechanics, enabling optimization of the clinically relevant device that substantially enhances rotator cuff repair by distributing stresses over the attachment footprint. This approach suggests an alternative to traditional suturing paradigms and may reduce the risk of tendon retearing after rotator cuff repair.

Accuracy of Clinical Suspicion for Rotator Cuff Tears by Orthopedic Surgeons When MRI Was Ordered on Initial Visits: Should Physical Therapy Be Mandated by Insurance Before MRI?

INTRODUCTION

Insurance companies often mandate six weeks of physical therapy (PT) prior to approving MRIs for patients with atraumatic rotator cuff (RTC) tears. While this is designed to limit unnecessary imaging orders, it can increase healthcare costs and delay diagnosis and surgery. This study investigated the incidence of full- and partial-thickness tears when an MRI was ordered at the time of initial consultation for shoulder pain by an orthopedic provider.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who had an MRI ordered upon initial orthopedic consultation for chronic shoulder pain was conducted. The primary outcome measured was the presence of RTC tears as determined by the MRI report. The cost of six weeks of PT versus the cost of immediate MRI in these patients was collected from our institution's financial database. ANOVA, independent T-test, and chi-square test were used to analyze the differences between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 365 patients were included. There were no significant differences in demographics between patients with full, partial, or no tears, with the exception that patients with full-thickness tears were older. Specifically, 43.0% had a full-thickness tear, 24.7% had a partial-thickness tear, and 32.2% had no tear on MRI. A total of 56.1% of the full-thickness tears proceeded to surgery. The cost of an upper extremity MRI without contrast averages $2,268, while two sessions of PT per week for six weeks totals $2,328.

DISCUSSION

Over 67% of MRI orders yielded a positive finding of an RTC tear and remained at 67.2% in the absence of a history of conservative treatment, validating a specialist's clinical suspicion for an RTC tear and indication for MRI. Pre-MRI PT to satisfy insurance requirements may therefore delay intervention and increase healthcare costs when an orthopedic provider believes an MRI is warranted for clinical decision-making.

Arthroscopic Repair of Retracted Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears With and Without Augmentation With a Bio-Inductive Collagen Implant Reveals Substantial and Comparable Clinical Improvement

PURPOSE

To compare clinical and imaging results after repair of retracted large and massive full-thickness rotator cuff tears, including revision repairs, with and without augmentation with a bio-inductive collagen implant.

METHODS

The study group comprised 24 patients (17 male subjects) with retracted 2 or 3 tendon rotator cuff tears undergoing arthroscopic repair followed by onlay augmentation with a bio-inductive collagen implant. The control group comprised 24 patients (19 male subjects) matched by tear size undergoing repair without augmentation. Mean patient age at repair in both groups was 61 years. Active range of motion and patient-reported outcomes were recorded before and after surgery. Noncontrast high-field magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 20 of 24 collagen implant patients and 17 of 24 control patients at minimum 6 months' follow-up to assess tendon healing.

RESULTS

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Simple Shoulder Test scores improved from 35 to 86 and 3.6 to 9.3, respectively, in the collagen implant group and from 39 to 87 and 3.9 to 9.7 in the control group. The visual analog score-pain improved from 6.0 to 0.9 and from 5.9 to 0.9 in the collagen implant and control groups, respectively (P < .001 for all). Overall improvements in range of motion and patient-reported outcomes were similar in both groups. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intact repairs in 11 of 20 (55%) patients in the patch group and 9 of 17 (53%) in the control group. Two patients in each group were revised to reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic repair of retracted large and massive rotator cuff tears, including revision repairs, with and without augmentation using a bio-inductive collagen implant results in substantial and comparable early clinical improvement, although predictable healing remains elusive. Further work is needed to optimize patient selection for massive rotator cuff repair and define more precisely the indications for augmentation of these repairs using the collagen implant.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Surgeon Factors and Trends Associated With the Use of Subacromial Decompression at the Time of Rotator Cuff Repair

PURPOSE

Subacromial decompression (SAD) has historically been described as an essential part of the surgical treatment of rotator cuff disorders. However, investigations throughout the 21st century have increasingly questioned the need for routine SAD during rotator cuff repair (RCR). Our purpose was to assess for changes in the incidence of SAD performed during RCR over a 12-year period. In addition, we aimed to characterize surgeon and practice factors associated with SAD use.

METHODS

Records from two large tertiary referral systems in the United States from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed. All cases of RCR with and without SAD were identified. The outcome of interest was the proportion of SAD performed during RCR across years and by surgeon. Surgeon-specific characteristics included institution, fellowship training, surgical volume, academic practice, and years in practice. Yearly trends were assessed using binomial logistic regression modeling, with a random effect accounting for surgeon-specific variability.

RESULTS

During the study period, 37,165 RCR surgeries were performed by 104 surgeons. Of these cases, 71% underwent SAD during RCR. SAD use decreased by 11%. The multivariable model found that surgeons in academic practice, those with lower surgical volume, and those with increasing years in practice were significantly associated with increased odds of performing SAD. Surgeons with fellowship training were significantly more likely to use SAD over time, with the greatest odds of SAD noted for sports medicine surgeons (odds ratio = 3.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Although SAD use during RCR appears to be decreasing, multiple surgeon and practice factors (years in practice, fellowship training, volume, and academic practice) are associated with a change in SAD use.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These data suggest that early-career surgeons entering practice are likely driving the trend of declining SAD. Despite evidence suggesting limited clinical benefits, SAD remains commonly performed; future studies should endeavor to determine factors associated with practice changes among surgeons.

Public Perceptions of Rotator Cuff Tears

(1) Background: Full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) impact 25% of those over 60 and 50% over 80; however, minimal data exists on public understanding; (2) Methods: The primary outcome was to determine the public's baseline understanding of RCTs utilizing a 36-question survey regarding anatomy and function, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment options, and expectations. Secondarily, we evaluated the effect of an educational video and informational handout created by the authors to improve understanding. Participants ≥ 18 years were recruited from the senior author's clinic and online discussion platforms over a 5-month period; (3) Results: Baseline surveys were completed by 382 individuals: 56% men, 64% Caucasian, 27% with at least a master's degree, and 56% with very little or no RCT knowledge. Mean correct answer scores improved from 47% to 68% posteducational intervention (p < 0.001). Males, higher education level, healthcare experience, and a higher self-rated understanding of RCTs were significantly correlated with higher survey performance (p < 0.001); (4) Conclusions: The public's knowledge of RCTs at baseline was poor, with demographic factors correlating with survey performance. The educational intervention effectively enhanced participants' understanding. By focusing on common misconceptions, this data can help clinicians align patient expectations and enhance patient outcomes.

Toxic effects of local anesthetics on rat fibroblasts: An in-vitro study

BACKGROUND

Infusion catheters facilitate a controlled infusion of local anesthetic (LA) for pain control after surgery. However, their potential effects on healing fibroblasts are unspecified.

METHODS

Rat synovial fibroblasts were cultured in 12-well plates. Dilutions were prepared in a solution containing reduced-serum media and 0.9% sodium chloride in 1:1 concentration. Each well was treated with 500 μl of the appropriate LA dilution or normal saline for 15- or 30-min. LA dilutions included: 0.5% ropivacaine HCl, 0.2% ropivacaine HCl, 1% lidocaine HCl and epinephrine 1:100,000, 1% lidocaine HCl, 0.5% bupivacaine HCl and epinephrine 1:200,000, and 0.5% bupivacaine HCl. This was replicated three times. Dilution of each LA whereby 50% of the cells were unviable (Lethal dose 50 [LD50]) was analyzed.

RESULTS

LD50 was reached for lidocaine and bupivacaine, but not ropivacaine. Lidocaine 1% with epinephrine is toxic at 30-min at 1/4 and 1/2 sample dilutions. Bupivacaine 0.5% was found to be toxic at 30-min at 1/2 sample dilution. Bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine was found to be toxic at 15- and 30-min at 1/4 sample dilution. Lidocaine 1% was found to be toxic at 15- and 30-min at 1/2 sample dilution. Ropivacaine 0.2% and 0.5% remained below LD50 at all time-points and concentrations, with 0.2% demonstrating the least cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

Though pain pumps are generally efficacious, LAs may inhibit fibroblasts, including perineural fibroblast and endoneurial fibroblast-like cells, which may contribute to persistent nerve deficits, delayed neurogenic pain, and negatively impact healing. Should a continuous infusion be used, our data supports ropivacaine 0.2%.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Basic Science Study; Animal model.

Variation in Utilization of Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist Services After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe the utilization of physical therapist and occupational therapist services after rotator cuff repair (RCR) and examine variation in rehabilitation characteristics by profession.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database. Eligible patients were 18 to 64 years old and had undergone outpatient RCR between 2017 and 2020. Physical therapist and occupational therapist services were identified using evaluation and treatment codes with profession-specific modifiers ("GP" or "GO"). Factors predicting utilization of formal rehabilitation and physical therapist versus occupational therapist services were examined; and univariable and multivariable analyses of days to initiate therapy, number of visits, and episode length by profession were completed.

RESULTS

Among 53,497 patients with an RCR, 81.2% initiated formal rehabilitation (93.8% physical therapist, 5.2% occupational therapist, 1.0% both services). Patients in the Northeast and West (vs the South) were less likely to receive rehabilitation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67 to 0.70) and less likely to receive occupational therapist services (OR = 0.39). Patients living in the Midwest (versus the South) were less likely to receive rehabilitation (OR = 0.79) but more likely to receive occupational therapist services (OR = 1.51). Similarly, those living in a rural (versus urban) area were less likely to utilize rehabilitation (OR = 0.89) but more likely to receive occupational therapist services (OR = 2.21). Additionally, receiving occupational therapist instead of physical therapist services was associated with decreased therapist visits (-16.89%), days to initiate therapy (-13.43%), and episode length (-13.78%).

CONCLUSION

Most patients in our commercially insured cohort utilized rehabilitation services, with a small percentage receiving occupational therapist services. We identified profession-specific variation in utilization characteristics that warrants further examination to understand predictors and associated outcomes.

IMPACT

Variation in rehabilitation utilization after RCR, including profession-specific and regional differences, may indicate opportunities to improve standardization and quality of care.

One- and 2-Year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Scores Do Not Vary Significantly After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Multicenter Analysis of 1,567 Patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether there are clinically significant changes in patient-reported outcomes between 1 and 2 years' postoperatively after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospective, multicenter registry was queried for all patients who underwent RCR. Patients with preoperative, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were included. We evaluated mean postoperative ASES scores, Δ (change from preoperative) ASES, and the %MOI (% maximum outcome improvement). We also evaluated achievement of clinically significant outcomes (CSOs) for the ASES score, including the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit, and patient-acceptable symptom state.

RESULTS

There were 1,567 patients with complete data through 2-year follow-up. There were small differences in achievement of CSOs from 1 to 2 years: 88% to 91% for MCID, 81% to 83% for substantial clinical benefit, and 65% to 71% for patient-acceptable symptom state. There were statistically significant differences from 1 to 2 years in mean ASES (87 to 88, P < .001), Δ ASES (37 to 39, P < .001), and %MOI (72% to 76%, P < .001); however, these changes were well below the MCID of 11.1. From 1 to 2 years, the mean ASES improved only 1.7 points (P < .001). At 1 year, patients achieved, on average, 97% of their 2-year ASES.

CONCLUSIONS

Both patient-reported outcomes and achievement of CSOs show small differences at 1 and 2 years after RCR. Given the large sample size, there were statistical differences, but these are unlikely to be clinically relevant.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

When Do Patients Achieve PROMIS Milestones After Rotator Cuff Repair?

Background

Given the variability of the questions asked, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper extremity (UE) computer adaptive test (CAT) Version 2.0 item bank aids in the evaluation of rotator cuff repair (RCR) rehabilitation by determining when recovery milestones are possible based on the quality of patient responses at certain time points.

Purpose

To assess the time point at which patients with RCR were able to achieve specific functional milestones, determined as positive responses to the 5 most frequently asked items on the PROMIS UE CAT Version 2.0.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

The postoperative PROMIS UE CAT Version 2.0 scores of patients who underwent RCR between February 16, 2017, and July 30, 2019, were reviewed with respect to individual PROMIS item, response, and timing of response. A functional milestone was considered achieved if the patient response was "without any difficulty" or "with a little difficulty" to any of the 5 most frequently asked PROMIS items. The percentage of patients in each monthlong postoperative interval who answered with either response was recorded. The logit generalized estimating equations method was used to analyze the association between milestone achievement for each PROMIS item and predictor variables (age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, race, ethnicity, and employment status).

Results

A total of 1131 responses from 371 patients were included. The majority of patients attained milestone achievement on 4 of the 5 most frequently asked PROMIS items at time points ranging from 1 to 5 months postoperatively: "Are you able to carry a shopping bag or briefcase?" (by 1 month), "Are you able to put on and take off a coat or jacket?" (by 3 months), "Are you able to pour liquid from a bottle into a glass?" (by 3 months), and "Are you able to carry a heavy object (over 10 pounds/5 kg)?" (by 5 months). For the item "Are you able to put on a shirt or blouse?", the majority of patients did not achieve the milestone by 1 year.

Conclusion

These findings support the application of PROMIS UE CAT Version 2.0 milestone achievement in the shared decision-making process and postoperative monitoring, as patients can use this information to determine when they can return to certain activities and providers can apply these standards to identify patients needing additional clinical support.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Inpatients with Rotator Cuff Tear Who Received Integrative Korean Medicine Treatment: A Retrospective Analysis and Questionnaire Survey

CONTEXT

Rotator cuff tear is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and has become a prominent disease most frequently treated by surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the long-term therapeutic effect of integrative Korean medicine (KM) as a conservative treatment in treating rotator cuff tears.

DESIGN

A multicenter observational study.

SETTINGS

The settings involve four regional network KM hospitals.

PATIENTS

The study participants are 288 patients aged 19-70 with rotator cuff tear identified by radiologist based on magnetic resonance imaging who received integrative KM treatment for the chief complaint of shoulder pain between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2020.

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was the pain score in the affected shoulder, measured by the numeric rating scale (NRS). The secondary outcomes were Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), 5-Level Quality of life: EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D-5L), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), and range of motion (ROM) scores.

RESULTS

Eligible patients for MCID achievement analysis for minimally clinical important change were 167, and 109 completed the follow-up survey. The mean NRS pain score in the affected shoulder was 5.80 ± 1.27 at admission, 3.50 ± 1.32 at discharge, and 3.83 ± 2.04 at follow-up.The mean SPADI score was 51.48 ± 20.18 at admission, 37.76 ± 19.23 at discharge, and 24.26 ± 21.80 at follow-up. The improvement at discharge (P-value < 0.001) and follow-up (P-value < 0.001) compared to those at admission was statistically significant. The results also presented a significant improvement in ROM for all motions at discharge after treatment (P-value < 0.001). The number of patients who achieved minimal clinically important difference in NRS was 116 (69.5%) at discharge and 71 (65.1%) at follow-up, and in SPADI was 82 (50.9%) at discharge and 77 (70.6%) at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggested that integrative KM treatment can help improve pain, functional impairment, QoL, and ROM in patients with a rotator cuff tear TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04566939.

Novel bisphosphonate-based cathepsin K-triggered compound targets the enthesis without impairing soft tissue-to-bone healing

Background: Osteoadsorptive fluorogenic sentinel 3 (OFS-3) is a recently described compound that contains a bone-targeting bisphosphonate (BP) and cathepsin K (Ctsk)-triggered fluorescence signal. A prior study in a murine Achilles repair model demonstrated its effectiveness at targeting the site of tendon-to-bone repair, but the intrinsic effect of this novel bisphosphonate chaperone on tendon-to-bone healing has not been previously explored. We hypothesized that application of this bisphosphonate-fluorophore cargo conjugate would not affect the biomechanical properties or histologic appearance of tendon-bone repairs. Materials and Methods: Right hindlimb Achilles tendon-to-bone repair was performed on 12-week old male mice. Animals were divided into 2 groups of 18 each: 1) Achilles repair with OFS-3 applied directly to the repair site prior to closure, and 2) Achilles repair with saline applied prior to closure. Repaired hindlimbs from 12 animals per group were harvested at 6 weeks for biomechanical analysis with a custom 3D-printed jig. At 4 and 6 weeks, repaired hindlimbs from the remaining animals were assessed histologically using H&E, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for the presence of Ctsk, and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging to evaluate collagen fibers. Results: At 6 weeks, there was no significant difference in failure load, stiffness, toughness, or displacement to failure between repaired hindlimbs that received OFS-3 versus saline. There was no difference in tissue healing on H&E or Ctsk staining on immunohistochemistry between animals that received OFS-3 versus saline. Finally, second harmonic generation imaging demonstrated no difference in collagen fiber parameters between the two groups. Conclusion: OFS-3 did not significantly affect the biomechanical properties or histologic appearance of murine Achilles tendon-to-bone repairs. This study demonstrates that OFS-3 can target the site of tendon-to-bone repair without causing intrinsic negative effects on healing. Further development of this drug delivery platform to target growth factors to the site of tendon-bone repair is warranted.

Hydrotherapy after Rotator Cuff Repair Improves Short-Term Functional Results Compared with Land-Based Rehabilitation When the Immobilization Period Is Longer

Background: The evidence of hydrotherapy after rotator cuff repair (RCR) is limited as most studies either used it as an adjuvant to standard land-based therapy, or have different initiation timing. This study aimed to compare hydrotherapy and land-based therapy with varying immobilization time. Methods: Patients who underwent RCR with a 10-days or 1-month immobilization duration (early or late rehabilitation) were prospectively randomized. Results: Constant scores significantly differed at three months only, with the best score exhibited by the late hydrotherapy group (70.3 ± 8.2) followed by late land-based (61.0 ± 5.7), early hydrotherapy (55.4 ± 12.8) and early land-based (54.6 ± 13.3) groups (p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between rehabilitation type and immobilization duration (p = 0.004). The effect of hydrotherapy compared to land-based therapy was large at three months when initiated lately only (Cohen's d, 1.3; 95%CI, 0.9-1.7). However, the relative risk (RR) of postoperative frozen shoulder or retear occurrence for late hydrotherapy was higher compared to early hydrotherapy (RR, 3.9; 95%CI, 0.5-30.0). Conclusions: Hydrotherapy was more efficient compared to land-based therapy at three months only and if initiated lately. Even though initiating hydrotherapy later brought greater constant scores at three months, it might increase the risk of frozen shoulders or retear compared to early hydrotherapy.

Top 50 most impactful publications on massive rotator cuff tears

Background

Bibliometric analysis is a useful tool for measuring the scholarly impact of a topic and its more and less heavily studied aspects. The purpose of this study is to use bibliometric analysis to comprehensively analyze the 50 articles with the highest citation indices in studies evaluating the treatment and outcomes of massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs).

Methods

This cross-sectional study identified articles within the Scopus database published through December 2022. Keywords used were "massive rotator cuff tear." Articles were sorted in chronological order. The year published and number of citations were recorded. A citation index (CI) was calculated for each article by dividing the number of citations by number of years published [1 citation/1 year published (2021) = CI of 1]. Of these, the 50 articles with the highest CIs were carried forward for evaluation. Frequencies and distributions were assessed for data of each variable collected.

Results

These search methods produced 625 articles regarding mRCT research (ranging from January 1986 to December 2022). Four of the top 10 most impactful articles were published in the 2010s. The level of evidence (LOE) published with the greatest frequency was level of evidence 4 (41%). The journal Arthroscopy published the highest number within the top 50 (26%) followed by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and the American Journal of Sports Medicine (20% each). Clinical studies composed 88% of the top 50. Case series (38%) predominated, while systematic reviews (20%) and randomized control trials (8%) were less prevalent. The majority of studies concentrated on the clinical outcomes of certain interventions (62%), mainly comparing multiple interventions.

Conclusion

Despite the relatively high prevalence of mRCTs (40% of all tears), this topic comprises only a small proportion of all rotator cuff research. This analysis has identified gaps within and limitations of the findings concerning mRCTs for researchers to propose research questions targeting understudied topics and influence the future treatment and outcomes of this clinically difficult diagnosis.