The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with a posterior guided system and suture-button fixation enables more precise bone block positioning in the axial plane versus anterior screws fixation.

PURPOSE: Adequate position of the bone block during arthroscopic Latarjet procedure is critical for an optimal functional outcome. However, this procedure is complex with a long learning curve. Our aim was to compare the bone block position between a dedicated glenoid posterior instrumentation and suture button fixation versus an anterior screw fixation, on a postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. METHOD: Seventy-nine consecutive patients operated on for an anterior shoulder instability were included in this retrospective study. The same surgeon performed arthroscopically the Latarjet procedure either with an anterior drilling and screw fixation (Group A), or with a specific posterior glenoid guide pin, a posterior drilling, and a suture cortical button fixation (Group B). Evaluations were made by two independent observers. The position was evaluated by CT scan in the axial and sagittal planes. Learning curves with operative time, complications and clinical outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included in Group A and 44 in Group B. In Group A, 27 bone blocks were flush (87.1%) and 38 in Group B (92.7%) (p < 0.01). In Group A, 72% of the bone block height was below the equator and 76%, in Group B (ns). The mean operating time was 123 ± 32.5 min in Group A and 95 ± 34.1 min in Group B (p < 0.0001). At the final follow-up, the mean aggregate Rowe score was respectively 94.6 ± 10.4 and 93.1 ± 9.8 points in Groups A and B. The mean aggregate Walch-Duplay score was respectively 94.2 ± 11.6 and 93.4 ± 10.6 points in Groups A and B. There were 11 complications (31.4%) in Group A and five complications (11.3%) in Group B (ns). CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic Latarjet procedure with a posterior drilling guided system and suture-button fixation allows more precise positioning in the axial plane than with anterior drilling and screw fixation. This posterior-guided procedure could reduce intraoperative and short-term complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Methods of analyzing the long head of the biceps tendon in the management of distal supraspinatus tendon ruptures. Part 2: The role and validation of an arthroscopic exploration protocol of the long head of the biceps tendon.

INTRODUCTION: Inter-observer arthroscopic assessments of the Long head of the Biceps tendon (LHB) injuries, in the absence of predefined instructions, are poorly reproducible. There are several types of LHB injuries, of varying severity, which can make its intraoperative analysis subjective. HYPOTHESIS: The application of a precise arthroscopic exploration protocol, particularly dynamic, associated with an equally precise analysis of the possible tendon lesions, intrinsic or extrinsic, makes it possible to obtain a reproducible analysis of the lesions of the LHB and aid decision-making around its conservation or its resection, in distal supraspinatus tendon ruptures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter study including 371 patients with a stage 1 rupture of the supraspinatus tendon, in accordance with the Patte classification. An exploration protocol with intraoperative video recording of the articular portion of the biceps was systematically performed by the operators. It included static intra-articular and extra-articular observation of the LHB, as well as a dynamic intra-articular hook test with mobilization in internal and external rotation, and in anterior elevation. An analysis of the lesion status of the LHB was then made by the principal operator (Op), after defining the various possible lesions: intrinsic or extrinsic. This initial diagnostic assessment was then compared with the analysis made by two independent observers (Obs1, Obs2) based on a replay of the recorded videos. The reliability of agreement was then measured using Cohen's Kappa coefficient (K) and Fleiss' kappa. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-seven videos were analyzable. The level of agreement between the two independent observers was strong (K=0.63) for applying the diagnosis of a healthy or pathological biceps. The agreement between the independent observers and the operator was weaker (respectively K Op-Obs1=0.51 - moderate and K Op-Obs2=0.39 - poor). CONCLUSION: The application of a precise protocol for the exploration of the LHB, associated with a previously defined lesion classification, makes it possible to obtain a high rate of agreement for the arthroscopic diagnostic analysis of the LHB. However, arthroscopy cannot be used as the only criterion for deciding which procedure to perform on the LHB. Other clinical and para-clinical factors must be taken into consideration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; prospective inter-observer series.

Tenotomy or tenodesis versus conservation of the long head of the biceps tendon in the repair of isolated supraspinatus tears: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have directly compared the outcomes of rotator cuff repair (RCR) with or without concomitant LHBT tenotomy or tenodesis. The aim of this literature review was to assess: (i) whether an adjuvant procedure on the LHBT at the time of RCR gives better functional results than RCR alone; and (ii) whether reoperation rates are higher after RCR alone or RCR+tenotomy or tenodesis. METHODS: A literature search was carried out on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane database for papers published in English or French between 1st January, 2010, and 31st December, 2021. Included studies compared the results of RCR alone with RCR+concomitant tenotomy or tenodesis in patients with tears of the supraspinatus tendon or rotator cuff. ARTICLES: A total of 626 articles were identified in the literature search and 168 were retained for more detailed examination. Forty-seven articles were read in their entirety and nine articles comparing RCR with or without concomitant tenotomy or tenodesis of the LHBT were retained for the analysis. RESULTS: Nine articles comparing the results of RCR alone versus RCR+LHBT tenotomy or tenodesis were reviewed. The majority of patients were more than 50 years old and male. The rate of lesions to the LHBT in the studies included ranged from 26.8-60.2%. Eight of the nine studies compared the functional results of RCR alone versus RCR+tenotomy or tenodesis, with six reporting no significant difference, one reporting better outcomes after concomitant biceps surgery and one reporting worse outcomes after a biceps procedure. DISCUSSION: This review did not provide a strong answer to our questions, owing to the heterogenicity of clinical evaluation and low level of evidence of the studies. However, it appears that in the absence of biceps pathology or in the presence of small lesions, the LHBT could be preserved. The rate of revision did not seem to be higher and cuff healing lower in this situation. Therefore, further randomized studies are required to identify the role of concomitant procedure of the biceps in case of small isolated supraspinatus repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; systematic review.

Methods to analyse the long head of the biceps in the management of distal ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon. Part 1: the concept of the "biceps box": dynamic rotator interval approach. Incidence of lesions of the long head of the biceps tendon.

INTRODUCTION: The area encompassing the long head of the biceps (LHB) can be represented as a rectangular parallelepiped. This geometric view can be likened to a box, the "biceps box", where the sides are the extrinsic structures and the LHB is the intrinsic structure. Since these structures are mobile in relation to each other, a dynamic "biceps box" model can modify assessments of the LHB, in its healthy or pathological state, and make the therapeutic approach to treating LHB lesions less arbitrary. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In order to describe the different sides of the "biceps box", and to understand their possible physiological and pathological consequences, a literature review using PRISMA methodology was used. RESULTS: The supraspinatus (SSP) has expansions on its anterior aspect that project anteriorly and cross the coracohumeral ligament (CHL). The most functionally important expansion is the fasciculus obliquus, which extends perpendicular to the axis of the tendon fibers of the SSP, divides the CHL into a deep and a superficial layer, and terminates on the superficial aspect of the subscapularis. The humeral insertion of the SSP may be binary, making a bridge over the LHB, with a posterior branch inserting on the greater tuberosity and an anterior branch on the lesser tuberosity. The superior glenohumeral ligament (SGHL) has a twisted course, downward and forward, and ends at the proximal opening of the bicipital groove with a flap on which the LHB rests. The bicipital pulley is not an independent structure but an arciform structure resulting from the fusion of several tissues. DISCUSSION: The presence of structures linked together by common expansions in the 3 planes of space validates the relevance of a "biceps box" as a functional geometric model. The structure that acts as a crossroads through which all expansions pass is the CHL. An extrinsic SSP lesion can be compensated for by other "biceps box" structures, whereas an extrinsic SGHL lesion rarely exists without the presence of an intrinsic LHB lesion. The CHL constitutes a connective tissue crossed by a vasculonervous pedicle from the lateral pectoral nerve, which may explain some anterior shoulder pain attributed to the biceps. CONCLUSION: The LHB can be likened to an intrinsic structure contained in a box whose sides are made up of different interconnected stabilizing structures defining the extrinsic structures. The concept of a dynamic "biceps box" allows LHB lesions to be accurately classified, separating extrinsic and intrinsic lesions, and thus potentially modifying therapeutic approaches to the LHB. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; systematic review.

Can artificial intelligence help decision-making in arthroscopy? Part 2: The IA-RTRHO model - a decision-making aid for long head of the biceps diagnoses in small rotator cuff tears.

INTRODUCTION: The possible applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in orthopedic surgery are promising. Deep learning can be utilized in arthroscopic surgery due to the video signal used by computer vision. The intraoperative management of the long head of biceps (LHB) tendon is the subject of a long-standing controversy. The main objective of this study was to model a diagnostic AI capable of determining the healthy or pathological state of the LHB on arthroscopic images. The secondary objective was to create a second diagnostic AI model based on arthroscopic images and the medical, clinical and imaging data of each patient, to determine the healthy or pathological state of the LHB. HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis of this study was that it was possible to construct an AI model from operative arthroscopic images to aid in the diagnosis of the healthy or pathological state of the LHB, and its analysis would be superior to a human analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective clinical and imaging data from 199 patients were collected and associated with images from a validated protocoled arthroscopic video analysis, called "ground truth", made by the operating surgeon. A model based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) modeled via transfer learning on the Inception V3 model was built for the analysis of arthroscopic images. This model was then coupled to MultiLayer Perceptron (MLP), integrating clinical and imaging data. Each model was trained and tested using supervised learning. RESULTS: The accuracy of the CNN in diagnosing the healthy or pathological state of the LHB was 93.7% in learning and 80.66% in generalization. Coupled with the clinical data of each patient, the accuracy of the model assembling the CNN and MLP were respectively 77% and 58% in learning and in generalization. CONCLUSION: The AI model built from a CNN manages to determine the healthy or pathological state of the LHB with an accuracy rate of 80.66%. An increase in input data to limit overfitting, and the automation of the detection phase by a Mask-R-CNN are ways of improving the model. This study is the first to assess the ability of an AI to analyze arthroscopic images, and its results need to be confirmed by further studies on this subject. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III Diagnostic study.

Can artificial intelligence help decision-making in arthroscopy? Part 1: Use of a standardized analysis protocol improves inter-observer agreement of arthroscopic diagnostic assessments of the long head of biceps tendon in small rotator cuff tears.

INTRODUCTION: Injuries of the long head of biceps (LHB) tendon are common but difficult to diagnose clinically or using imaging. Arthroscopy is the preferred means of diagnostic assessment of the LHB, but it often proves challenging. Its reliability and reproducibility have not yet been assessed. Artificial intelligence (AI) could assist in the arthroscopic analysis of the LHB. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-observer agreement for the specific LHB assessment, according to an analysis protocol based on images of interest. The secondary objective was to define a video database, called "ground truth", intended to create and train AI for the LHB assessment. HYPOTHESIS: The hypothesis was that the inter-observer agreement analysis, on standardized images, was strong enough to allow the "ground truth" videos to be used as an input database for an AI solution to be used in making arthroscopic LHB diagnoses. MATERIALS AND METHOD: One hundred and ninety-nine sets of standardized arthroscopic images of LHB exploration were evaluated by 3 independent observers. Each had to characterize the healthy or pathological state of the tendon, specifying the type of lesion: partial tear, hourglass hypertrophy, instability, fissure, superior labral anterior posterior lesion (SLAP 2), chondral print and pathological pulley without instability. Inter-observer agreement levels were measured using Cohen's Kappa (K) coefficient and Kappa Accuracy. RESULTS: The strength of agreement was moderate to strong according to the observers (Kappa 0.54 to 0.7 and KappaAcc from 86 to 92%), when determining the healthy or pathological state of the LHB. When the tendon was pathological, the strength of agreement was moderate to strong when it came to a partial tear (Kappa 0.49 to 0.71 and KappaAcc from 85 to 92%), fissure (Kappa -0.5 to 0.7 and KappaAcc from 36 to 93%) or a SLAP tear (0.54 to 0.88 and KappaAcc from 90 to 97%). It was low for unstable lesion (Kappa 0.04 to 0.25 and KappaAcc from 36 to 88%). CONCLUSION: The analysis of the LHB, from arthroscopic images, had a high level of agreement for the diagnosis of its healthy or pathological nature. However, the agreement rate decreased for the diagnosis of rare or dynamic tendon lesions. Thus, AI engineered from human analysis would have the same difficulties if it was limited only to an arthroscopic analysis. The integration of clinical and paraclinical data is necessary to improve the arthroscopic diagnosis of LHB injuries. It also seems to be an essential prerequisite for making a so-called "ground truth" database for building a high-performance AI solution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; inter-observer prospective series.

Inter- and intra-observer agreement in arthroscopic assessment of the long head of the biceps.

INTRODUCTION: Long head of the biceps (LHB) pathology is frequent but can be difficult to diagnose. Arthroscopy is the current diagnostic gold-standard. The aim of the present study was to assess inter- and intra-observer agreement in arthroscopic analysis of the LHB. HYPOTHESIS: Agreement in arthroscopic analysis of the LHB is good in the particular case of small rotator cuff tears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 49 patients operated on between November 1 and November 30, 2017. Seven surgeons were asked to record videos of arthroscopic LHB analysis for Patte-1 small supraspinatus tendon tears. One junior and 2 senior surgeons analyzed the videos independently, studying macroscopic intrinsic and extrinsic LHB aspect. Inter-observer agreement, and intra-observer agreement for the junior surgeon, were analyzed. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement between the surgeons and intra-observer agreement for the junior surgeon were slight in describing the pathologic aspect of the LHB: respectively, κ=0.254, p<0.038; and κ=0.319, p<0.0019. DISCUSSION: Isolated arthroscopic LHB assessment without clinical or paraclinical input or precise surgical exploration protocol showed slight inter-observer agreement. Analysis and interpretation of LHB aspect should in practice be based on combined clinical, paraclinical and arthroscopic data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Management of normal long head of the biceps tendon in isolated grade-1 supraspinatus tear: Research protocol for a multicenter prospective single-blind randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon is a common locus of pain in rotator cuff tear and of residual pain after tendon repair. Therefore, systematic LHB tenotomy, with or without tenodesis, is usually recommended. However, the recent literature suggests that long-term functional results of supraspinatus tendon repair are comparable between conservation of a normal biceps and tenotomy. The study objective is to compare functional results between sectioning and sparing a normal LHB in treating isolated grade-1 supraspinatus tendon tear. The study hypothesis is that sparing the normal LHB is clinically preferable to sectioning in the particular case of distal supraspinatus tear. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A French nationwide prospective single-blind randomized clinical study will include 194 patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of grade-1 supraspinatus tear with normal LHB. They will be randomized to 2 parallel groups: LHB sparing and sectioning. The main endpoint is Constant-Murley score, and secondary endpoints comprise ASES and SSV scores, clinical assessment of the biceps, pain on VAS, ultrasound assessment of cuff repair healing and conserved LHBs, impact on return to work and sport, pathologic assessment of sectioned LHBs, and analysis of risk factors for cuff repair failure. ETHICAL APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION: The protocol has been approved by the data protection committee (art.L.1122-1) and meets the criteria of the Declaration of Helsinki and of the SPIRIT statement defining standard protocol items for clinical trials. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: not applicable.

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder in under-50 year-olds: A multicenter retrospective study of 273 shoulders by the French Society for Shoulder and Elbow (SOFEC).

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the shoulder in under-50 year-olds is rare, and treatment is delicate. Shoulder replacement incurs frequent long-term risk of progression and a high revision rate, making it unsuited to young active patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the epidemiology of shoulder OA in under-50 year-olds and to assess the clinical results of the various treatment options. HYPOTHESIS: The main study hypothesis was that well-conducted non-operative treatment can allow shoulder replacement to be postponed. The secondary hypothesis was that anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is the treatment of choice when other options fail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study included primary (POA) and post-instability osteoarthritis (PIOA) in patients aged≤50years at symptom onset. Exclusion criteria comprised post-traumatic OA, rheumatoid arthritis and necrosis. Two hundred and sixty-six patients for 273 shoulders were included from 13 shoulder surgery centers: 2 types of non-operative treatment (28 by platelet-rich plasma [PRP] and 88 by viscosupplementation), 73 arthroscopies, and 150 implantations (62 humeral hemiarthroplasties [HA], comprising 10 hemi-metal, 24 hemi-pyrocarbon and 28 hemi-resurfacing; 77 anatomic total prostheses, and 11 reverse prostheses). Minimum follow-up was 12 months for non-operative treatment and 24 months for arthroplasty (some patients having both). Endpoints comprised Constant score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) and number of complications/revision procedures. RESULTS: Mean age at treatment was 43 years (range, 23-65 years), with 75% male predominance. Symptom onset was earlier in PIOA than in POA: 36 vs. 39 years (range, 20-50 years). PRP and viscosupplementation postponed implantation by a mean 3.5 years in 86% of cases, as did arthroscopy in 56%. ER1 restriction was the most negative factor. At 74 months' follow-up for HA and 95 months for TSA, mean Constant score was significantly lower for HA (56 vs. 67; p=0.004), with higher rates of complications (31% vs. 11%) and implant exchange (13% vs. 9%). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: PRP, viscosupplementation and arthroscopy allow implantation to be postponed until the shoulder becomes stiff and painful. In case of failure, TSA is the most effective solution in the medium-term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV a; therapeutic study - investigating the results of treatment.

Prevalence of metal hypersensitivity in patients with shoulder pathologies.

BACKGROUND: To date, medical history and dedicated questionnaires are the fastest and easiest way to assess risks of joint metal hypersensitivity. No published studies determined the overall prevalence of hypersensitivity to metals in patients with shoulder pathologies. The purpose of this study was therefore to estimate the prevalence of metal hypersensitivity reported by patients with shoulder pathologies, and to identify patients at risk of joint metal hypersensitivity based on a dedicated questionnaire. METHODS: The authors prospectively asked all adult patients consulting for shoulder pathologies between September 2018 and February 2019 at 10 centers to fill in a form. The main outcome was "reported hypersensitivity to metals," comprising belt buckles, coins, earrings, fancy jewelry, keys, leather, metallic buttons, piercings, spectacles, watch bracelets, or zips. RESULTS: A total of 3217 patients agreed to fill in the survey, aged 55 ± 16 (range, 18-101) with equal proportions of men (51%) and women (49%), and a majority of patients consulting for cuff pathology (55%). A total of 891 (28%) patients had professions considered at risk for metal hypersensitivity. The most frequently reported metal hypersensitivities were fancy jewelry (15%), earrings (13%), and watch bracelets (9%). A total of 629 (20%) patients, of which the vast majority were women, reported hypersensitivity to 1 or more metals. CONCLUSIONS: This survey of 3217 patients identified 20% who reported metal hypersensitivities, though only 2.2% had done patch tests. Matching profiles of those with positive patch tests to those with no patch tests revealed that 9.4% of the total cohort had similar sex and self-reported metal hypersensitivities. Factors associated with a positive patch test were female sex, self-reported cutaneous allergy, and self-reported metal hypersensitivity. The clinical applicability of these estimates remains uncertain as there is insufficient evidence that allergy to metal implants can be predicted by questionnaires or patch tests.

Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of ultrasound analysis of the long head of the biceps.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound assessment of the long head of the biceps (LHB) is difficult. The aim of the present study was to analyze the inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of 2 ultrasound cross-sections not previously assessed: humeral head apex (image 1) and bicipital groove entrance (image 2). HYPOTHESIS: These ultrasound cross-sectional images allow reliable and reproducible analysis of the intra-articular LHB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center prospective study was conducted. Inter-observer reproducibility was assessed between 2 radiologists in 20 healthy shoulders (asymptomatic group) and 35 painful shoulders (symptomatic group); intra-observer reproducibility was assessed for 1 observer in 10 healthy shoulders. Quantitative parameters comprised short and long axes and transverse area, and qualitative parameters comprise echogenicity and LHB position. RESULTS: On images 1 and 2, inter-observer agreement on the 3 quantitative parameters was good to excellent in both subject groups (p<0.05), and more precise and highly reproducible for image 1. Agreement on the 2 qualitative parameters was excellent (p<0.001). Intra-observer reproducibility results were non-significant on all parameters. DISCUSSION: The 2 intra-articular LHB cross-sections proved reliable and reproducible in painful and in healthy shoulders. A standardized ultrasound protocol could thus enhance the precision of LHB assessment and treatment. The difficulties of LHB measurement, often related to shoulder pathology, may, however, hinder interpretation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, prospective intra- and inter-observer study.

Long-term, Prospective, Multicenter Study of Isolated Bankart Repair for a Patient Selection Method Based on the Instability Severity Index Score.

BACKGROUND: An isolated arthroscopic Bankart repair carries a high mid- and long-term risk of recurring instability. Preoperative patient selection based on the Instability Severity Index Score should improve outcomes. PURPOSE: To report the overall long-term recurrence rate for isolated Bankart repair, investigate the predictive factors for recurrence, analyze time to recurrence, and determine a quantitative cutoff point for recurrence in terms of Instability Severity Index Score. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were recurring anterior instability and an Instability Severity Index Score of 4 or less. Of the 125 patients included, 20 patients had a score of 0, 31 patients scored 1, 29 patients scored 2, 34 patients scored 3, and 11 patients scored 4. All centers used the same arthroscopic technique and rehabilitation protocol. Follow-up data were collected at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and 3 and 9 years. The primary endpoint was recurrence of instability (total or partial dislocation). The statistical analysis was performed by use of the software package SAS 9.4. RESULTS: We initially identified 328 patients, of whom 125 patients were prospectively included. The main reason for excluding the 202 patients was the presence of bony lesions, which carry 2 points each in the Instability Severity Index Score (humeral head notch and/or glenoid lesion visible on standard radiographs). Of the 125 eligible patients, 73% were athletes and 22.5% competitors; 16% were lost at the last follow-up. At the endpoint, 23% had experienced a recurrence after a mean interval of 35 months (range, 5.5-103 months). No statistical differences were found between patients with and without bony lesions in the overall group of 125 patients or in the subgroup with an Instability Severity Index Score of 3 or 4 points ( P = .4). According to univariate analysis, the only predictive factor for recurrence was age less than 20 years at the time of surgery, with a 42% rate of recurrence in this group ( P = .03). Multivariate analysis showed that the Instability Severity Index Score was the only predictive factor with a quantitative cutoff point (namely, a score of ≤2 points) that was statistically associated with a decreased long term recurrence rate ( P = .02). The recurrence rate was 10% for a preoperative Instability Severity Index Score of 2 or less compared with 35.6% for a score of 3 or 4. The survival curves demonstrated no new dislocations after year 4 for patients with an Instability Severity Index Score of up to 2 points. CONCLUSION: In a preselected population, mainly without bony lesions, the Instability Severity Index Score cutoff value that provides an acceptable recurrence rate at 9 years after isolated Bankart repair is 2 out of 10.

Management of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Prospective study in 218 patients.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists about the management of massive and symptomatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs). The objective of this study was to compare the 12-month clinical outcomes of various treatment options for massive RCTs. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic surgery has a role to play in the treatment of massive and apparently irreparable RCTs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective multicentre non-randomised study was performed in patients with massive RCTs managed non-operatively (NONOP) or by arthroscopic tenotomy/tenodesis of the long head of biceps (aTLB), arthroscopic partial tendon repair (aPTR), arthroscopic latissimus dorsi transfer (aLDT), or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the Constant score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score after 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The 218 included patients (mean age, 69 years) were distributed as follows: NONOP, n=71; aTLB, n=26; aPTR, n=61; aLDT, n=25; and RSA, n=35. After 12 months, the mean Constant score, SSV, and ASES score values were 70, 68%, and 73, respectively, and had improved significantly versus the preoperative values in all treatment groups. RSA was the only treatment followed by improvements in all Constant score items. Active forwards elevation improved significantly in the NONOP (+25°), aPTR (+26°), and RSA (+66°) groups. An improvement in active external rotation was seen only in the RSA group, where it was small (+10°, p=0.046). Significant increases in internal rotation were seen in the NONOP (+1.6 points) and aPTR (+1.7 points) groups. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic techniques (aTLB, aPTR, and aLDT) for managing massive irreparable RCTs produce significant functional gains. Partial tendon repair (aPTR) and RSA may provide better outcomes than isolated aTLB or aLDT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, non-randomised prospective study.

Does autologous leukocyte-platelet-rich plasma improve tendon healing in arthroscopic repair of large or massive rotator cuff tears?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the use of leukocyte-platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) in patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears. METHODS: A comparative cohort of patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears undergoing arthroscopic repair was studied. Two consecutive groups of patients were included: rotator cuff repairs with L-PRP injection (group 1, n = 35) and rotator cuff repairs without L-PRP injection (group 2, n = 35). A double-row cross-suture cuff repair was performed by a single surgeon with the same rehabilitation protocol. Patients were clinically evaluated with the Constant score; Simple Shoulder Test score; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score; and strength measurements by use of a handheld dynamometer. Rotator cuff healing was evaluated by postoperative MRI using the Sugaya classification (type 1 to type 5). RESULTS: We prospectively evaluated the 2 groups at a minimum 2-year follow-up. The results did not show differences in cuff healing between the 2 groups (P = .16). The size of recurrent tears (type 4 v type 5), however, was significantly smaller in group 1 (P = .008). There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrent tear rate (types 4 and 5) between the 2 groups (P = .65). There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of University of California, Los Angeles score (29.1 and 30.3, respectively; P = .90); Simple Shoulder Test score (9.9 and 10.2, respectively; P = .94); Constant score (77.3 and 78.1, respectively; P = .82); and strength (7.5 and 7.0, respectively; P = .51). CONCLUSIONS: In our study the use of autologous L-PRP did not improve the quality of tendon healing in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of large or massive rotator cuff tears based on postoperative MRI evaluation. The only significant advantage was that the L-PRP patients had smaller iterative tears. However, the functional outcome was similar in the 2 groups of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Are multiple platelet-rich plasma injections useful for treatment of chronic patellar tendinopathy in athletes? a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic patellar tendinopathy (PT) is one of the most common overuse knee disorders. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) appears to be a reliable nonoperative therapy for chronic PT. PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of 3 consecutive ultrasound (US)-guided PRP injections for the treatment of chronic PT in athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A total of 28 athletes (17 professional, 11 semiprofessional) with chronic PT refractory to nonoperative management were prospectively included for US-guided pure PRP injections into the site of the tendinopathy. The same treating physician at a single institution performed 3 consecutive injections 1 week apart, with the same PRP preparation used. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, including the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) score, visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, and Lysholm knee scale before surgery and after return to practice sports. Tendon healing was assessed with MRI at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The VISA-P, VAS, and Lysholm scores all significantly improved at the 2-year follow-up. The average preprocedure VISA-P, VAS, and Lysholm scores improved from 39 to 94 (P < .001), 7 to 0.8 (P < .0001), and 60 to 96 (P < .001), respectively, at the 2-year follow-up. Twenty-one of the 28 athletes returned to their presymptom sporting level at 3 months (range, 2-6 months) after the procedure. Follow-up MRI assessment showed improved structural integrity of the tendon at 3 months after the procedure and complete return to normal structural integrity of the tendon in 16 patients (57%). Seven patients did not recover their presymptom sporting level (among them, 6 were considered treatment failures): 3 patients returned to sport at a lesser level, 1 patient changed his sport activity (for other reasons), and 3 needed surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: In this study, application of 3 consecutive US-guided PRP injections significantly improved symptoms and function in athletes with chronic PT and allowed fast recovery to their presymptom sporting level. The PRP treatment permitted a return to a normal architecture of the tendon as assessed by MRI.

Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears: is there tendon healing in patients aged 65 years or older?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess tendon healing and clinical results of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) repaired arthroscopically in patients aged 65 years or older. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2004, 88 patients with a mean age of 70 years (range, 65 to 85 years) had arthroscopic RCT repair. The repair was performed on 54 women (61%). The dominant arm was involved in 72 patients (82%). RCT included more than 2 tendons in 45 cases. Functional outcomes were assessed by use of the Constant score and Simple Shoulder Test. Tendon healing was estimated by use of a computed tomography (CT) arthrogram, which was obtained 6 months postoperatively, and was classified into 3 categories: stage 1, watertight and anatomic healing; stage 2, watertight and partial healing; and stage 3, not watertight and retear. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 41 months (range, 24 to 77 months). The mean clinical outcome scores all improved significantly at the time of the final follow-up (P < .01). Computed tomography arthrogram imaging showed 27 shoulders with a stage 1 repair, 20 with a stage 2 repair, and 34 with a stage 3 repair. The retear rate was 42% (34 of 81). The patients with tendon healing stage 1 or 2 had a significantly superior functional outcome in terms of overall scores and strength compared with the stage 3 repairs (P < .01). In our study we had 39 isolated supraspinatus tears (small or medium tears); 11 (28.9%) had a retear (stage 3). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair in patients aged 65 years or older can yield tendon healing resulting in significant functional improvement. Our data suggest that arthroscopic repair can be considered successful for the older patient specifically when the tear is limited to the supraspinatus tendon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

In vitro biomechanical comparison of three different types of single- and double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs: analysis of continuous bone-tendon contact pressure and surface during different simulated joint positions.

HYPOTHESIS: We assessed bone-tendon contact surface and pressure with a continuous and reversible measurement system comparing 3 different double- and single-row techniques of cuff repair with simulation of different joint positions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reproduced a medium supraspinatus tear in 24 human cadaveric shoulders. For the 12 right shoulders, single-row suture (SRS) and then double-row bridge suture (DRBS) were used. For the 12 left shoulders, DRBS and then double-row cross suture (DRCS) were used. Measurements were performed before, during, and after knot tying and then with different joint positions. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in contact surface with the DRBS technique compared with the SRS technique and with the DRCS technique compared with the SRS or DRBS technique. There was a significant increase in contact pressure with the DRBS technique and DRCS technique compared with the SRS technique but no difference between the DRBS technique and DRCS technique. CONCLUSIONS: The DRCS technique seems to be superior to the DRBS and SRS techniques in terms of bone-tendon contact surface and pressure.

The time for functional recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: correlation with tendon healing controlled by computed tomography arthrography.

PURPOSE: We investigated how soon postoperative functional recovery became significant after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and the influence of tendon healing. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on 114 cases of full-thickness rotator cuff tears arthroscopically repaired from January 2001 to December 2003. All patients were evaluated by the Constant scoring system at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery and at last follow-up. Computed tomography arthrography was done at 6 months postoperatively to study the progression of tendon healing. RESULTS: The Constant score significantly improved from the third month after surgery (P < .0001) until the twelfth month, after which it stabilized (P < .0001). At last follow-up (31 months), the mean score was 80.1 points (range, 50 to 95 points). Female sex (P < .0001), upper-limb heavy work (P < .0001), poor bone quality (P = .039), and absence of healing (P = .002) were negative predictive factors. In particular, the absence of tendon healing leads to a worsening of the results from the twelfth month onward. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff lesions as performed in this study gives very good results in terms of functional recovery. Our study showed functional recovery as early as 3 months after surgery and further improvement over the first year, followed by stabilization. We found that female sex, upper-limb heavy work, poor bone quality, and lack of tendon healing were all negatively associated with outcome. Patients presenting with a retear differed from the other patients, in that their clinical progression showed a significant rise in the Constant score over the first year, with a lowering of the score thereafter. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Can a double-row anchorage technique improve tendon healing in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?: A prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study of double-row and single-row anchorage techniques with computed tomographic arthrography tendon healing assessment.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the rate of watertight tendon healing has been suggested as an important criterion for optimizing clinical results in rotator cuff arthroscopic repair. HYPOTHESIS: A double-row anchorage technique for rotator cuff repair will produce better clinical results and a better rate of tendon healing than a single-row technique. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: We compared 31 patients undergoing surgery with a double-row anchorage technique using Panalok anchors and Cuff Tack anchors and 35 patients with rotator cuff tear undergoing surgery with a single-row anchorage arthroscopic technique using Panalok anchors. We compared pre- and postoperative Constant score and tendon healing, as evaluated by computed tomographic arthrography 6 months after surgery, in these 2 groups. RESULTS: The Constant score increased significantly in both groups, with no difference between the 2 groups (P = .4). Rotator cuff healing was judged anatomic in 19 patients with double-row anchorage and in 14 patients with single-row anchorage; this difference between the groups was significant (P = .03). CONCLUSION: In this first study comparing double- and single-row anchorage techniques, we found no significant difference in clinical results, but tendon healing rates were better with the double-row anchorage. Improvements in the double-row technique might lead to better clinical and tendon healing results.