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Arthroscopy 2020 06;36(6):1515-1516

Master University.

Arthroscopy is a powerful tool in the management of the painful total shoulder arthroplasty and should be considered when evaluating cases in which a clear cause of pain is not present. Patients may present with a painful shoulder arthroplasty due to a number of causes-occult infection, instability, component loosening, malposition, or rotator cuff pathology. In certain cases, advanced imaging may not be diagnostic, given the presence of metal artifact. Read More

FP Essent 2020 Apr;491:11-16

WellSpan York Hospital Sports Medicine Fellowship, 1001 S George St, York, PA 17403.

Subacromial impingement/pain syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain that encompasses a spectrum of pathology of the subacromial bursa and rotator cuff tendons. Pathology of the rotator cuff tendons can range from inflammation to fibrotic changes to partial- and full-thickness tears. Biomechanical dysfunction of the rotator cuff and glenohumeral complex contributes to the pathophysiology and progression of subacromial impingement/pain syndrome. Read More

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2020 Apr 11. Epub 2020 Apr 11.

School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

Objectives: To assess if swimming practice results in changes in supraspinatus tendon thickness, acromiohumeral distance, and occupational ratio in shoulders of elite swimmers with and without a history of shoulder pain.

Design: Case-Control study.

Methods: A convenience sample of fifty elite swimmers (14-22 years) were recruited for this study. Read More

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2020 May 19;28(2):269-283. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Sidney Kimmel Medical Center, 132 South 10th Street, Suite 1096, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) pathology is a common source of shoulder girdle pain, frequently coexisting with and sharing overlapping clinical features of rotator cuff and glenohumeral articular lesions. ACJ trauma and osteoarthritis dominate clinical presentation; however, an array of pathologies can affect the joint. MR imaging of the ACJ is a powerful secondary diagnostic tool in early diagnosis of ACJ pathology and in accurate assessment of ACJ injuries, helping to resolve clinically challenging cases and allowing for individualized treatment planning. Read More

Ultrasonography 2020 Apr 2;39(2):144-151. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

Department of Pathology, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Purpose: This study investigated whether shear wave elastography (SWE) could be used to estimate the chronicity of supraspinatus tendon (SST) tears.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed. From November 2015 to July 2016, 113 patients (52 men, 61 women; age range, 21 to 79 years) with persistent shoulder pain underwent 119 rotator cuff tendon examinations by routine B-mode ultrasonography, while SST elasticity was measured using SWE. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2020 05 18;214(5):1146-1151. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Veterans Medical Research Institute, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between stiff shoulder in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and MRI findings, especially joint capsule abnormality. This study included 106 patients with small to large (≤ 5 cm) full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Joint capsule edema and thickness in the axillary recess, obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle, fatty degeneration of the torn rotator cuff muscle, and degree of retraction were assessed by two radiologists. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 Jan;99(3):e18766

Department of Radiology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.

Rationale: Shoulder pain is a common complaint among patients, and rotator cuff disorders are the most common diagnoses. Humeral head osteonecrosis is easily masked by other more common diagnoses and concomitant conditions.

Patient Concerns: This challenging diagnostic report consists of 2 cases. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Dec 29;20(1):633. Epub 2019 Dec 29.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea.

Background: Suture anchor placement for subscapularis repair is challenging. Determining the exact location and optimum angle relative to the subscapularis tendon direction is difficult because of the mismatch between a distorted arthroscopic view and the actual anatomy of the footprint. This study aimed to compare the reliability and reproducibility of the navigation-assisted anchoring technique with conventional arthroscopic anchor fixation. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Dec 12;14(1):435. Epub 2019 Dec 12.

Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, CH 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Portal placement is a key factor for the success of arthroscopic procedures, particularly in rotator cuff repair. We hypothesize that the acromial anatomy may strongly determine the position of the shoulder bony landmarks and limit the surgeon's freedom to position the arthroscopic approaches in direction towards the acromion. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relation between different acromial shapes and the freedom of movement of arthroscopic instruments relative to the rotator cuff from standardized arthroscopic portals in a laboratory study on 3D shoulder models. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Dec 12;14(1):436. Epub 2019 Dec 12.

Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, No.324, Road Jing Wu Wei Qi, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.

Background: Numerous quantitatively studies have focused on the diagnosis of bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs); however, the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR arthrography (MRA) remains inconclusive. This study was performed systematically to compare the diagnostic value of MRA and MRI for the bursal-sided partial-thickness RCTs.

Methods: Three electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were utilized to retrieve articles comparing the diagnostic value of MRA and MRI for detecting bursal-sided partial-thickness RCTs. Read More

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019 Dec;101(23):2091-2100

Department of Orthopaedics (L.E., K.W., S.C., P.F., D.E.B., and C.G.) and Division of Radiology (C.A.A.), Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: One recognized salvage option in the treatment of an irreparable subscapularis tear is the pectoralis major tendon transfer (PMT). We aimed to analyze the long-term clinical and imaging outcome of PMT for irreparable subscapularis deficiency.

Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients representing 30 shoulders underwent PMT at a mean age of 53. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 12;35(12):3194-3202

Private Practice, Sacramento, California, U.S.A.

Purpose: To assess postoperative changes in the thickness of the dermal allograft of the superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and to evaluate the graft for the presence of intrasubstance pulsatile vessels.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify SCR patients who had ultrasound evaluations between May 2014 and February 2019. Data were collected and stratified based on time from surgery into 2 groups: 0 to 12 months and past the 12-month follow-up. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Nov 27;20(1):569. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Degree Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Background: The use of steroid injection for treatment of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment method.

Methods: Twelve patients in Group 1 received an intra-substance injection into rupture area of supraspinatus tendon with Diprospan 1 cc (betamethasone disodium phosphate 2 mg and betamethasone dipropionate 5 mg) and 1% xylocaine 1 cc. Read More

Skeletal Radiol 2020 Apr 27;49(4):625-633. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia.

Purpose: Compare the diagnostic performance of saline and gadolinium shoulder magnetic resonance arthrograms (MRA) in the detection of labral and rotator cuff injury compared to arthroscopy.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent a gadolinium or saline MRA followed by arthroscopy were retrospectively reviewed. The reports were reviewed for injuries. Read More

J Orthop Res 2020 May 2;38(5):1150-1158. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Ultrasound Center, HTRG-Heidelberg Trauma Research Group, Heidelberg University Hospital, Schlierbacher Landstraße 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany.

Supraspinatus (SSP) tendon tears represent a common indication for shoulder surgery. Yet, prediction of postoperative function and tendon retear remains challenging and primarily relies on morphologic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based parameters, supported by patients' demographic data like age, gender, and comorbidities. Considering continuously high retear rates, especially in patients with larger tears and negative prognostic factors, improved outcome prediction could be of high clinical value. Read More

Emerg Med Clin North Am 2020 Feb;38(1):103-124

Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 East Ontario Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; United States Soccer Federation.

Shoulder pain is a common presentation in the emergency department. The list of differential diagnoses is broad. This article summarizes common diagnoses of shoulder pain, including bony, infectious, and connective tissue pathologies and their proper treatment. Read More

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2019 Sep 29;54(5):579-586. Epub 2019 Oct 29.

Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública (EBMSP), Salvador, BA, Brasil.

 To compare the imaging findings of anatomical alterations using multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography in the evaluation of rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, correlating them with the arthroscopy (the gold standard diagnostic test) findings.  A longitudinal, prospective, comparative study of diagnostic accuracy performed in the period between June 2016 and June 2017 in patients of both sexes, aged between 40 and 70 years, with shoulder rotator cuff tendon tears and therapeutic need to undergo shoulder arthroscopy. Patients with contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging were included. Read More

Regen Med 2019 11 15;14(11):1001-1012. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Department & Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

We investigated the therapeutic effects and optimal dose of human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection in a chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tendon tear. Rabbits (n = 30) were allocated into three groups (normal saline, G1-Sal; 1 × 10 cells UCB-MSC, G2-Low; 2 × 10 cells UCB-MSC, G3-High). Injections were done into the chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tendon tear 6 weeks after a full-thickness tendon tear of the subscapularis was created. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 11;35(11):3135-3143.e4

Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Purpose: To summarize the available evidence and examine the relationship between the critical shoulder angle (CSA) and (1) the incidence of chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and (2) outcomes after rotator cuff repair (RCR).

Methods: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL was completed. Comparative studies were included and the influence of the CSA on either the incidence of chronic, full-thickness RCTs, or outcomes following RCR was evaluated. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Nov 7;20(1):518. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, 11 Samjeongja-ro Seongsan-gu, Changwon, 51472, Republic of Korea.

Background: This study proposed to investigate whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an independent risk factor for long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) tear and whether hs-CRP can increase accuracy in diagnosing LHBT tear.

Methods: This study involved 582 shoulders of 557 consecutive patients who received arthroscopic examinations at the authors' institution between January 2010 and July 2018. The strengths of associations between LHBT tear and various factors were determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using logistic regression analyses. Read More

Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2019 Oct 24. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, 33 Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-Gu, Daegu, South Korea.

Background: Rotator cuff tendon tears (RCTTs) are common adult injuries. We hypothesized that a local injection of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and microcurrent therapy (MIC) would be more effective in regenerating a tendon tear than PDRN administration alone.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of PDRN combined with MIC on the regeneration of RCTTs in a rabbit subscapularis tendon chronic RCTT model. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Oct 27;20(1):490. Epub 2019 Oct 27.

Orthopedic & Trauma Centre, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.

Background: The Eclipse® (Eclipse® is a trademark of Arthrex, Naples, Florida) stemless shoulder prosthesis offers the surgeon the advantage of bone stock preservation and at the same time avoids the drawbacks of a resurfacing arthroplasty. Previous studies have shown radiographic changes on serial follow up of the Eclipse prosthesis. This study attempts to assess the significance of these radiographic changes and effect of cuff related pathology on the mid-term outcome of the Eclipse prosthesis. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2019 Oct 24;49(5):1524-1528. Epub 2019 Oct 24.

Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Health Sciences University, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

Background/aim: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the suprascapular nerve has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. Ultrasound (US) guidance has gained popularity in regional blocks recently. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve pulsed radiofrequency under the guidance of ultrasonography. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2019 10 11;163. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, afd. Orthopedie, Heerlen.

BACKGROUND An obstetric brachial plexus lesion arises during childbirth as a consequence of excessive lateral traction of the neonate's head during shoulder dystocia. A small number of patients do not experience spontaneous recovery and secondary glenohumeral deformities can arise due to rotator cuff imbalance. CASE DESCRIPTION A 34-year-old man of Syrian descent with a history of a conservatively treated right-sided obstetric brachial plexus lesion went to the accident and emergency department (A and E) with acute pain in the right shoulder. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2020 Jan 15;29(1):12-19. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Background: The patient-related factors for the perceived need for surgery for degenerative rotator cuff tears are not known. The purpose of this study is to examine patient- and tear-specific factors leading to surgery in newly painful degenerative rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Asymptomatic, degenerative rotator cuff tears were followed prospectively to identify the onset of pain and tear enlargement. Read More

PLoS One 2019 18;14(10):e0224244. Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the characteristics and demonstrate proof-of-concept and clinical use of a barium sulfate infused polypropylene radiopaque tissue marker for soft tissue localization and in vivo measurement of lengths and areas.

Methods: Marker mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile tests. Biocompatibility was evaluated following 8-12 weeks' implantation in a pig model. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2019 12 14;47(14):3476-3482. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are common shoulder injuries in baseball players. For some tears, the symptoms can be relieved through physical therapy or debridement without rotator cuff repair.

Purpose: To assess whether partial-thickness rotator cuff tear by itself causes shoulder pain and muscle weakness in baseball players. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 10;35(10):2959-2965

Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado; Steadman Clinic, Vail, Colorado. Electronic address:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate biomechanical and histopathological results of a retrieved acellular human dermal allograft (AHDA) after superior capsule reconstruction (SCR). A 67-year-old man with pseudoparalysis was treated with SCR for an irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear. The patient failed clinically 4. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 Oct 11:1-7. Epub 2019 Oct 11.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.

To investigate shoulder ultrasonography findings in spinal cord injury (SCI) and identify factors associated with ultrasongraphic abnormalities. : A cross-sectional descriptive study : Srinagarind hospital, Thailand Spinal cord injury patients who attended the Srinagarind Hospital rehabilitation department. Baseline characteristics, physical examination, Physical Examination of the Shoulder Scale (PESS), and the ultrasonography of both shoulders of SCI patients were prospectively evaluated. Read More

PLoS One 2019 23;14(9):e0222783. Epub 2019 Sep 23.

Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Introduction: The shoulder, a very complex joint, offers a wide range of pathologies. Intraarticular abnormalities and rotator cuff injuries are mainly assessed and diagnosed by magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). In contrast to this well-established gold standard, high-resolution ultrasound (US) offers an additional easy and excellent modality to assess the shoulder joint. Read More

Radiol Med 2020 Jan 20;125(1):39-47. Epub 2019 Sep 20.

Department of Radiology, Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Italy.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography arthrography (DE-CTA) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) of the shoulder in depicting glenoid labral tears.

Methods: This prospective institutional review board-approved study included 47 consecutive patients (28 males, 19 females; mean age of 34.2 years) studied between January 2017 and October 2018. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Oct;28(10):1918-1927

Department of Orthopaedics, Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy.

Background: To evaluate the anatomic integrity of rotator cuff repair performed by medialized single row and augmented by a porcine dermal patch, in comparison with a nonaugmented group.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. The sample size was predefined, and patients were divided into a study group and a control group, assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2019 Sep 14;14(1):312. Epub 2019 Sep 14.

Department of Orthopaedics Surgery of Beilun People's Hospital, No. 1288, Lushan East Road, Ningbo, 315800, Zhejiang Province, China.

Background: There are no published studies of the influence of geometry of the scapula on the postoperative recovery of rotator cuff injuries. Our aim was to explore the relationship between the critical shoulder angle (CSA), acromion index (AI), glenoid inclination (GI), and postoperative repair outcomes in shoulder joints after arthroscopic supraspinatus tendon repair.

Methods: Sixty two patients suffering a supraspinatus tear were analyzed retrospectively following failure of conservative treatment and subsequent shoulder arthroscopy in our hospital. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2019 11 13;47(13):3065-3072. Epub 2019 Sep 13.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Bermuda.

Background: The evidence to support operative versus nonoperative treatment for rotator cuff tears is sparse and inconclusive.

Purpose: To assess pain and functional outcomes in patients undergoing operative and nonoperative treatments for rotator cuff tears.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Read More

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2019 Aug 11;23(4):429-435. Epub 2019 Sep 11.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Shoulder ultrasound is a commonly performed imaging study that can accurately determine the presence of rotator cuff tendinosis and tears, as well as subacromial-subdeltoid bursal and long head of biceps tendon pathology. High accuracy depends on an awareness of imaging pitfalls that can be encountered and lead to over- or underdiagnosis of rotator cuff pathology. Ten common pitfalls of rotator cuff ultrasound scanning are presented along with ways to avoid these pitfalls. Read More

AJR Am J Roentgenol 2019 12 11;213(6):1307-1314. Epub 2019 Sep 11.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S Greene St, Baltimore, MD 21201.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of supraspinatus fat fraction and Goutallier grade to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score in cohorts of older adults with painful full-thickness supraspinatus tendon (SST) tear and control subjects. Seventeen control subjects and 15 study participants with painful full-thickness SST tear were prospectively recruited (mean age ± SD, 63.0 ± 10. Read More

Clin Orthop Surg 2019 Sep 12;11(3):309-315. Epub 2019 Aug 12.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Background: Minimal rotation of the scapula may affect the measurement of critical shoulder angle (CSA). We investigated the difference in the CSA measured in minimal rotation between the patients with rotator cuff tear and those without non-rotator cuff tear and the CSA measurement error by comparing with computed tomography (CT).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tear and whose X-ray views correspond to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 and C1. Read More

Acta Reumatol Port 2019 Apr-Jun;44(2):155-157

Unidade de Investigação em Reumatologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Portugal.

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2019 Dec 26;27(12):4014-4020. Epub 2019 Aug 26.

Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, No 12, Wulumuqi Zhong Road, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: To assess patients with and without postoperative residual pain and to compare clinical function and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the repaired supraspinatus tendon between patients with and without pain.

Methods: One-hundred and seventeen patients with supraspinatus tear were included in this study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain were assessed at a follow-up of at least 1 year. Read More

JBJS Case Connect 2019 Jul-Sep;9(3):e0234

Hospital de Basurto, Aitira Clinic, Bilbao, Spain.

Case: A 48-year-old male patient with a type V acromioclavicular injury with a 3-tendon acute cuff tear, anterior glenohumeral dislocation, and an axillary posttraumatic neuropathy is presented. The rotator cuff tear was sutured and an all-arthroscopic-modified coracoclavicular ligaments (CCLs) reconstruction technique was performed with a gracilis tendon graft and a double knotless suture fixation system.

Conclusions: An arthroscopic approach allows the surgeon to identify and treat associated glenohumeral lesions in type V acromioclavicular dislocations. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2019 Aug 21;20(1):383. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Orthopedics and Traumatology - Division of Hand Surgery and Upper Limb, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), Borges Lagoa Road, 776, São Paulo, 04038-030, Brazil.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard in diagnosing rotator cuff pathology; however, there is a lack of studies investigating the reliability agreement for supraspinatus partial-thickness tears among orthopaedic surgeons and musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists.

Methods: Sixty digital MRI scans (1.5 Tesla) were reviewed by two orthopaedic shoulder surgeons, two MSK radiologists, two fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons, and two fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons at two distinct times. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 09 14;35(9):2553-2561. Epub 2019 Aug 14.

Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To explore whether the critical shoulder angle (CSA) and acromion index (AI) on nonstandard anteroposterior (AP) radiographs could be used as parameters for rotator cuff tear (RCT) diagnosis and to determine the optimized parameters.

Methods: This study included 174 patients with RCTs or intact rotator cuffs in whom AP radiographs were obtained at our hospital. The radiographs were assessed by 2 independent radiologists and were grouped according to the Suter-Henninger criteria. Read More

Arthroscopy 2019 09 13;35(9):2565-2570. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Purpose: To study the influence of combined cortical thickness (CCT) of the proximal humerus on arthroscopic rotator cuff tear repair outcomes.

Methods: The study included 210 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of full-thickness supraspinatus tears. An independent reviewer measured CCT on preoperative radiographs, and patients were evaluated postoperatively at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Read More

Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2019 09;98(9):e114-e115

From the Radiology Department, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, Saudi Arabia (DARA); and Department of Diagnostic Imaging, National University Health System, Singapore (DARA, VSYT, SBS, JZ, JTPDH).

Iowa Orthop J 2019 ;39(1):63-68

Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA.

Background: The primary indication for reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is rotator cuff arthropathy caused by a deficient rotator cuff. Cuff deficiency in patients is highly variable in its distribution and extent, with mechanical implications that may significantly affect post-operative recovery. This study investigated the effects of variable cuff deficiency on the propensity for impingement between the scapula and humeral component and resulting subluxation, the source of two common complications (scapular notching and instability). Read More

Am J Sports Med 2019 09 14;47(11):2659-2669. Epub 2019 Aug 14.

Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

Background: Arthroscopic techniques are now considered the gold standard for treatment of most rotator cuff (RC) tears; however, no consensus exists on the maintenance of results over time, and long-term follow-up data have been reported for few cohorts of patients.

Purpose: To present the long-term results associated with the arthroscopic treatment of RC tears and to evaluate associations between preoperative factors and RC integrity at final follow-up.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2020 Jan 9;29(1):e11-e21. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Etzel Clinic, Pfaeffikon, Switzerland.

Background: Massive rotator cuff (RC) tears still present a clinically challenging problem, with reported rerupture rates in up to 94%. The study objective was to determine the impact of synthetic patch augmentation for massive RC tears.

Methods: Between June 2012 and 2014, we performed 50 arthroscopic RC reconstructions augmented with a synthetic polyester patch. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2020 Jan 6;29(1):113-120. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. Electronic address:

Background: Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of conservative treatment of partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT). Here, we aim to identify the predictors of failure after conservative treatment in a large series of patients with symptomatic PTRCT.

Methods: The outcome of conservative treatment in a retrospective cohort of 272 patients with symptomatic PTRCT was evaluated. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2019 Aug 6;25:5856-5863. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND Physical tests are usually preferred to assess rotator-cuff syndrome but are insufficient to predict the morphology and size of the rotator-cuff. The objective of the study was to rate the ultrasound findings for patients with sudden shoulder pain and to determine potential predictors of the same. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 112 patients with sudden shoulder pain with rotator-cuff syndrome, suspected by orthopedic doctors, were subjected to ultrasonography. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2019 Oct 29;28(10):1936-1941. Epub 2019 Jul 29.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine & Shoulder Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Background And Hypothesis: IDEAL (Iterative Decomposition of Echoes of Asymmetrical Length) imaging is a magnetic resonance imaging sequence that precisely measures rotator cuff muscle fatty infiltration. The influence of lower levels of fatty infiltration on outcomes after rotator cuff repair remains unclear. We hypothesized that increased preoperative fat fractions would be associated with inferior clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair. Read More