Background: Knotted suture bridge repair (KSBR) has been widely proven to be an effective method for rotator cuff repairs. However, the occurrence of type 2 failure after suture bridge repair remains a frequent problem because of the stress concentration and disturbance of tendon perfusion in the medial row. The authors have developed the H-loop knotless double–row repair (HLDR) to counteract these problems. Purpose: To compare the biomechanical and histological outcomes of HLDR and KSBR for rotator cuff tear in the rabbit model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Acute bilateral supraspinatus tears were created on the shoulders of 46 New Zealand White rabbits. HLDR and KSBR were randomly performed on the left side or right side. Thirteen animals each were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery (n = 39), with 6 rabbits used for histological evaluation and the other 7 rabbits for biomechanical testing. The remaining 7 animals from the original 46 were only used for initial biomechanical evaluation at week 0. Results: Macroscopically, all repaired tendons were connected to their footprint on the greater tuberosity without postoperative complications at 8 weeks after surgery. The HLDR group had significantly better histological bone–to–tendon integration compared with the KSBR group in terms of fibrocartilage regeneration, collagen composition, and fiber organization. The biomechanical outcomes in the HLDR group were demonstrated to be better than those of the KSBR group at time 0 and 8 weeks after surgery. Conclusion: Both repair techniques were effective for rotator cuff tears in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model; however, HLDR demonstrated more advantages in improving biomechanical properties and histological tendon–to–bone healing compared with KSBR. Clinical Relevance: This animal study suggested that HLDR might be an alternative choice for rotator cuff tears in humans to increase tendon–to–bone healing and reduce the rate of failure to heal.

Objective: Treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCT) has shown limited clinical success and a variety of subsequent complications. Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) has been proved to reestablish superior stability but does not restore the dynamic force or shoulder kinematics. There are numerous reports of the short-term failure of SCR grafts at the glenoid side, which relate to the non-biological healing of grafts. To restore both dynamic and static stability and to provide biologic augmentation, an integrated procedure for massive irreparable RCT using an Achilles tendon-bone allograft (ATBA) was developed. Method: This was a retrospect study completed between October 2019 and April 2020. A 71-year-old woman with massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears was enrolled in our study. The ATBA was folded into a double-layer structure. The superior layer (proximal portion) served as a bridge patch to dynamic the glenohumeral joint, while the inferior layer (distal portion) served as the superior capsule to restore static stability of glenohumeral joint. To enhance biologic healing on the glenoid side, we fixed the calcaneus of the graft on the superior-posterior side of the superior glenoid rim. The recovery of shoulder function (including strength, range of motion, acromiohumeral interval, and fatty infiltration) was assessed at 6 months postoperation. Result: At 6-month follow-up, the patient's strength had improved significantly (from abduction of grade 3 preoperatively to grade 4 at 6 months). Radiographic analysis showed an increase in the acromiohumeral interval from 3 to 7 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intact graft, with the thickness of the ligament part maintained (at 6-7 mm). Most importantly, recovery of atrophy and fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus were observed. No graft tears were observed on the glenoid side. Conclusion: This technique could provide a preferable treatment option by restoring shoulder kinematics and augmentating biological healing for patients with massive irreparable RCT.

Background The critical shoulder angle (CSA), which helps to predict patients who are at risk of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with large degree and who are susceptible to osteoarthritis with low angle, has been identified as one of the most vital acromial parameters; anterolateral and lateral acromioplasties have been proven to be valid ways to reduce CSA. However, no study has compared the effect of different acromioplasties on the reduction of the large CSA (≥33°) clinically. Additionally, either anterolateral or lateral acromioplasty could not precisely correct large CSAs to a favorable range (30–33°) in each patient. Thus, we will propose a novel precise acromioplasty technique for the purpose of reducing CSA accurately and effectively, and compare the effectiveness of different acromioplasties on the reduction of the CSA. Methods A total of 60 RCT patients who have indications for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and with pre-operative CSA ≥33° will be recruited in outpatient center of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to Group A (anterolateral acromioplasty), Group B (lateral acromioplasty) or Group C (precise acromioplasty) via a random, computer-generated number system. Three surgical plans will be made for each participant respectively by one professional surgeon according to the results of randomization allocation. The post-operative CSA will be measured 2 days post-operation. Follow-up will be maintained at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery including the visual analog scale score, the University of California at Los Angeles score, the Constant Shoulder Score and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon Shoulder Assessment Form. Finally, all outcomes will be assessed by two researchers who are blinded to the recruitment and allocation. Discussion This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the impact of different acromioplasties on the reduction of the CSA. Additionally, this study will provide a new precise acromioplasty technique, which is a novel precision and individualized treatment to prevent degenerative RCTs by reducing the CSA. Trial registration ChiCTR2000032343. Registered on April 26th, 2020.

ObjectivePatch technology has been the new technique in the treatment of partial thickness of the rotator cuff tear (PTRCTs) to address the limitation of traditional techniques. Compared with allogeneic patches and artificial materials, coracoacromial ligament is obviously closer to their own biology. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic outcomes following arthroscopic autologous coracoacromial ligament augment technique for treatment of PTRCTs.MethodThis study included three female patients with PTRCTs who underwent arthroscopy operation in 2017 with an average age of 51 years (range from 50 to 52 years). The coracoacromial ligament implant was attached to the bursal side surface of the tendon. The clinical results were evaluated by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and muscle strength before and 12 months after operation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 24 months after operation to assess the integrity of the anatomical structure of the original tear site.ResultThe average ASES score improved significantly from 57.3 preoperatively to 95.0 at 1‐year follow‐up. The strength improved significantly from grade 3 preoperatively to grade 5 at 1 year. Two of three patients underwent the MRI at 2‐year follow‐up. Radiographic released the complete healing of rotator cuff tear. No implant‐related serious adverse events were reported.ConclusionThe new technique of using autogenous coracoacromial ligament patch augment provides good clinical results on patients with PTRCTs.

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ObjectiveAnteroposterior (AP) radiographs do not necessarily offer the optimal approach to measuring the critical shoulder angle (CSA) due to the malposition of the scapula. Three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) may offer some advantages, including the ability to rotate the scapula for position alignment and pre‐operative planning for reducing CSA. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and reliability of CSA measurement in 3D‐CT and to determine whether there is an association between CSA and rotator cuff tears (RCTs).MethodsIn this retrospective study we identified 200 patients who received shoulder arthroscopy from 2019 to 2021, including 142 patients (81 females, 61 males) with RCTs and 58 patients (14 females, 44 males) with non‐RCTs. For each participant, CSA was measured from standard shoulder AP radiographs and anterior views of 3D‐CT of the scapula by two independent assessors. Inter‐ and intra‐observer agreements were assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The relationship between the two measurement methodologies was determined by Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots. Discriminative capacity was calculated by using receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses in the whole cohort and age sub‐groups above and below 45 years.ResultsWe found perfect inter‐observer (ICC >0.96) and intra‐observer (ICC >0.97) reliabilities for CSA measurements obtained from the standard AP radiographs and the 3D‐CT. There was a strong correlation between the two methods (r = 0.960, P < 0.001). The mean CSA was 31.7° ± 4.2° in the standard AP radiographs and 31.8° ± 4.4° in the 3D‐CT (mean difference 0.02°, P = 0.940; bias 0.02°, limits of agreement −2.29° to +2.33°). ROC analysis of the whole cohort showed that the CSA measured in the standard AP radiographs (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.812, P < 0.001) and the 3D‐CT (AUC = 0.815, P < 0.001) predicted RCT with high confidence. ROC analysis of patients aged ≥45 years showed that the CSA measured from the standard AP radiographs (AUC = 0.869, P < 0.001) and the 3D‐CT (AUC = 0.870, P < 0.001) were very good at predicting RCTs.ConclusionCSA measured from standard AP radiographs and 3D‐CT showed high consistency, and the CSA could be accurately and reliably measured using 3D‐CT. CSAs measured from standard AP radiographs and 3D‐CT could predict RCTs, especially in patients aged ≥45 years.

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Objective: To determine the functional outcomes after a novel method of H-loop knotless double-row technique in patients with rotator cuff tears.Method: From June 2020 to September 2020, a total of six patients (five women, one man) with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the H-loop knotless double-row technique were enrolled in our study. The average age is 54 years (range: 50-61 years). The preoperative and final follow-up clinical outcome were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analog scale (VAS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and Constant-Murley score. The active shoulder range of motion (ROM) was also collected preoperatively and postoperatively at the final follow-up (forward flexion and abduction). Accordingly, intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed as well.Result: There were six patients that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the H-loop knotless double-row technique. The average follow-up period was 7.52 AE 0.70 months.