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The incidence of rotator cuff tears and recurrent defects positively correlate with patient age. However, this observation has never been analysed at the cellular level. The present study aims to better understand this correlation by investigating cellular characteristics of rotator cuff tenocytes of different age groups. Additionally, previous studies reported on stimulating effects of Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-7 on tenocytes. Thus, the second aim was to investigate, whether the stimulation potential of tenocytes demonstrates age-related differences. Tenocyte-like cells from supraspinatus tendons of young and aged male patients were analysed for the following cell biological characteristics: cell density, cell growth, marker expression, collagen-I protein synthesis, stem cell phenotype, potential for multipotent differentiation and self-renewal. To analyse the stimulation potential, cells were treated with BMP-2 and BMP-7 in 2D-/3D-cultures. Measured parameters included cell activity, marker expression and collagen-I protein synthesis. An effect of age was seen for cell growth and stem cell potential but not on extracellular matrix level. Cells from both groups responded to BMP-7 by increasing cell activity, collagen-I expression and protein synthesis. BMP-2 led to smaller increases in these parameters when compared to BMP-7. In general, 3D-cultivation improved the stimulation compared to 2D-culture. The cell biological characteristics of tenocyte-like cells, considered important for successful restoration of the tendon-bone unit, were inferior in elderly donors. This may help explain higher rates of recurrent defects seen in elderly patients. Regarding the stimulation potential, on a cellular level young and aged patients may benefit from biological augmentation with BMPs.

The clinical results after modified Mason-Allen single-row versus double-mattress suture bridge technique did not demonstrate significant differences in a matched patient cohort. Concerning the failure mode, single- and double-row techniques seem to demonstrate different re-defect patterns.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of concomitant intraarticular lesions to the glenohumeral joint or to surrounding soft tissue structures with non-randomized prospective case series. High-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations result from direct or indirect force impact to the shoulder girdle. Fourty consecutive patients (2 female, 38 male) with high-grade acromioclavicular joint dislocations (Rockwood III: n = 3; IV: n = 3; V: n = 34) who underwent diagnostic arthroscopy at the time of acromioclavicular joint repair were evaluated. Associated pathologic lesions were documented and treated by an all-arthroscopic approach. As a result, traumatic intraarticular lesions were found in 15% (n = 6/40) of cases. Two patients had an isolated partial tear of the subscapularis tendon. One patient had a combined tear of the subscapularis and supraspinatus tendon (PASTA type lesion). Two patients showed a type II SLAP-lesion and one patient had a type VI SLAP-lesion. Arthroscopic treatment included rotator cuff reconstruction in two cases and debridement of the partially torn tendon in one case. Two patients underwent an arthroscopic SLAP-repair and in one patient a debridement of a labral flap tear was performed. Acromioclavicular joint reconstruction was achieved via an open technique using suture anchors in 14 cases and via an all-arthroscopic approach using a double Tight-rope technique in 26 cases. To conclude, in number of cases, high-grade AC-separations may be associated with traumatic concomitant glenohumeral pathologies resulting from the same trauma impact to the shoulder girdle. A combined or an all-arthroscopic approach allows to accurately diagnose and treat associated intraarticular pathologies.