ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of interfacial tissue engineering in rotator cuff repair.MethodsThe recent literature at home and abroad concerning interfacial tissue engineering in rotator cuff repair was analysed and summarized.ResultsInterfacial tissue engineering is to reconstruct complex and hierarchical interfacial tissues through a variety of methods to repair or regenerate damaged joints of different tissues. Interfacial tissue engineering in rotator cuff repair mainly includes seed cells, growth factors, biomaterials, oxygen concentration, and mechanical stimulation.ConclusionThe best strategy for rotator cuff healing and regeneration requires not only the use of biomaterials with gradient changes, but also the combination of seed cells, growth factors, and specific culture conditions (such as oxygen concentration and mechanical stimulation). However, the clinical transformation of the relevant treatment is still a very slow process.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy for treating primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff. Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff who met the selection criteria between October 2020 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 39-79 years, with an average of 61.0 years. Rotator cuff injury was caused by traumatic fall in 8 cases, and the time from injury to admission was 1-4 months, with an average of 2.0 months; the remaining 3 cases had no obvious inducement. The active range of motion of the affected shoulder was limited, with an active forward flexion range of motion of (64.1±10.9)°, abduction of (78.1±6.4)°, internal rotation of (48.2±6.6)°, and external rotation of (41.8±10.5)°; 5 cases had shoulder stiffness. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.8±0.8 and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was 23.9±6.4. The patients were treated with “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy, and the pain and functional recovery were evaluated by VAS score, ASES score, and active range of motion of shoulder joint at last follow-up; MRI was performed after operation, and the integrity of rotator cuff was evaluated by Sugaya classification system. Results All the 11 patients were followed up 2-22 months, with an average of 13.5 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection, rotator cuff re-tear, and anchor falling off. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.8±0.7 and the ASES score was 93.5±4.2, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). All 11 patients had no significant swelling in the shoulders, and the active range of motion was (165.1±8.8)° in flexion, (75.3±8.4)° in abduction, (56.6±5.5)° in internal rotation, and (51.8±4.0)° in external rotation, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Shoulder MRI showed adequate tendon thickness and good continuity in 9 cases, including 4 cases with partial high signal area; and 2 cases with inadequate tendon thickness but high continuity and partial high signal area. According to Sugaya classification system, there were 4 cases of type 1 (36.4%), 5 cases of type 2 (45.5%), and 2 cases of type 3 (18.1%).Conclusion For the patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff, the “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy is simple and effective.
Objective To explore the causal relationship between breast cancer and rotator cuff injury using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization. Methods Instrumental variables for breast cancer and rotator cuff injury were extracted from published genome-wide association study data. The positive study used breast cancer as the exposure and rotator cuff injury as the outcome, with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closely associated with both breast cancer and rotator cuff injury as genetic instrumental variables. The reverse study used rotator cuff injury as the exposure and breast cancer as the outcome, with SNPs closely associated with both breast cancer and rotator cuff injury as genetic instrumental variables. Bidirectional MR analysis was conducted using five models: inverse variance weighted (IVW), simple model, weighted median, weighted model, and MR-Egger to assess the causal relationship between breast cancer and rotator cuff injury. Cochran Q test was used to detect heterogeneity, MR-Egger to detect horizontal pleiotropy, and leave-one-out method for sensitivity analysis to ensure the robustness of the results. Results A total of 51 SNPs closely associated with breast cancer were included in the forward study. The results indicated a positive causal association between breast cancer and an increased risk of rotator cuff injury [IVW: odds ratio=1.08, 95% confidence interval (1.02, 1.12), P=0.014], with no evidence of heterogeneity in the causal relationship between breast cancer and rotator cuff injury (P>0.05). Horizontal pleiotropy test results showed no horizontal pleiotropy in the SNPs (P>0.05). Leave-one-out test results did not detect any SNP with a large impact on the results. In the reverse study, a total of 3 SNPs related to rotator cuff injury were included as instrumental variables. There was no strong evidence that rotator cuff injury had a causal effect on breast cancer incidence [IVW: odds ratio=0.95, 95% confidence interval (0.86, 1.05), P=0.334]. Conclusions There is a potential causal association between breast cancer and rotator cuff injury. Therefore, it is suggested to increase the screening for rotator cuff injury in breast cancer patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the combined tenodesis for proximal lesions of biceps tendon with massive rotator cuff tear by arthroscopy. MethodsBetween January 2011 and June 2013, 48 patients with massive rotator cuff tear and proximal lesions of biceps tendon underwent combined tenodesis under arthroscopy, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of 48 cases, 22 were male and 26 were female with an average age of 46 years (range, 35-59 years); 12 cases had clear history of trauma. The disease duration ranged from 1 to 57 months (mean, 4.6 months). All cases suffered from moderate to severe shoulder pain, the strength and the range of motion (ROM) declined when compared with those of the other side. According to Goutallier classification standard, 3 cases were rated as grade 0, 18 cases as grade 1, and 27 cases as grade 2. The operation time and complication were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, ROM, the strength of flexed elevation and elbow flexion, Constant-Murley score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were used to evaluate the effectiveness. ResultsThe operations were performed successfully, and incisions healed primarily. The operation time was 120-160 minutes (mean, 135 minutes). One case had shoulder joint swelling with wound bleeding, which was cured after proper treatment. All 48 patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 13.9 months). The results of MRI showed good healing of tendon at 6 months after operation. When compared with preoperative values, VAS score was significantly decreased (P<0.05); the ROM in forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation, and the strength of flexed elevation were significantly increased (P<0.05); and ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and UCLA score were significantly improved at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in MEPS score and elbow flexion strength (P>0.05). ConclusionThe technique of combined tenodesis under arthroscopy can obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes in treating proximal lesions of biceps tendon with massive rotator cuff tear.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided anterior injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with routine physiotherapy on pain and functional improvement in patients with rotator cuff injury.MethodsThe patients with rotator cuff injury treated in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2017 to June 2018 were randomly divided into control group and PRP group. The control group was treated with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks, and the PRP group was treated with PRP injection guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound (once a week, two injections) combined with routine physiotherapy for 4 weeks. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the European Shoulder Association Constant-Murley Score (CMS) were used to evaluate the changes of pain and function before intervention, 12 weeks after intervention and 24 weeks after intervention.ResultsFinally, 65 patients were included, with 33 in the control group and 32 in the PRP group. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the CMS and SAPDI scores between the PRP group and the control group at 12 and 24 weeks after intervention (P<0.05), except before intervention (P>0.05). Twelve and 24 weeks after intervention, the CMS scores of the two groups were higher than those before intervention, while the SPADI scores were lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). The results of repeated measures analysis of variances showed that there was no statistical significance in group effect of CMS or SAPDI scores (F=2.753, P=0.102; F=2.724, P=0.104), but the time effects of CMS and SAPDI scores were statistically significant (F=251.002, P<0.001; F= 1 846.753, P<0.001), and there was interaction between group and time (F=4.931, P=0.020; F=36.405, P<0.001).ConclusionAnterior injection of PRP guided by musculoskeletal ultrasound combined with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than conventional physiotherapy in relieving shoulder pain and improving shoulder joint function.
Objective?To analyze the effect of different surgery techniques on the tendon-bone healing of rotator cuff insertion.?Methods?Forty-two adult Japanese rabbits, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg and male or female, were selected. Thirty-six rabbits were given a sharply left-lateral tenotomy of the supraspinatus tendon with subsequent re-attachment of the tendon. According to the depth of re-attachment, 36 rabbits were equally randomized into the cancellous-fixation group (a cancellous bed was prepared with a dental burr) and the cortical-fixation group (the same treatment was performed except the preparation of the bone bed). Six rabbits served as the controls without treatment (control group). At 4 and 8 weeks after operation, the general observation, HE staining, and the biomechanical test were performed.?Results?At 4 weeks after operation, the supraspinatus-humerus specimens morphologically showed atrophy and vague between tendon and new bone in the cancellous-fixation group and the cortical-fixation group; at 8 weeks, no obvious difference was observed between 2 groups and the control group. The histological results of the cortical-fixation group at 4 weeks revealed the interface between tendon and new bone became smooth. The interface became transitional at 8 weeks, and the shape of bone tissue was nearly normal. The interface obtained from the cancellous-fixation group at 4 weeks became sclerotic, and collagen fibers formed in disorder. With ingrowth of new bone and re-establishment of collagen-fiber continuity at 8 weeks, thickness of interface became thin, and bone tissue was remodeling. The ultimate load were significantly higher in the cortical-fixation group than in the cancellous-fixation group at both 4 and 8 weeks, and the results gained at 8 weeks is significantly higher than that at 4 weeks in each group (P lt; 0.05). Except rupture strength at 4 weeks between 2 groups and all tensile strength (P gt; 0.05), there were significant differences in the results of others (P lt; 0.05).?Conclusion?In this model, the tendon-bone healing process and the biomechanical properties of cortical-fixation is superior to those of cancellous-fixation.
Objective To compare effectiveness of injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with different concentrations of leukocytes under ultrasound in treatment of supraspinatus tendon injury. Methods A clinical data of 30 patients with supraspinatus tendon injury, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between December 2022 and December 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. Thirty patients were treated with 4 injections of leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP, n=10), leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP, n=11), and triamcinolone (n=9), with an interval of 7-10 days between each injection. There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in the age, gender, disease duration, affected shoulder side, Ellman classification, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. At 1, 3, and 6 months after injection, the shoulder pain and function were evaluated by using the VAS score, Constant score, DASH score, and ASES score. MRI was conducted to observe supraspinatus tendon healing. Results No severe adverse reactions was observed in all groups. All patients were followed up 6-7 months, with an average of 6.5 months. After injection, the ASES score and Constant score gradually increased in the LR-PRP group and LP-PRP group, while the VAS score and DASH score decreased, with significant differences compared to before injection (P<0.05). Except for no significant difference between 3 and 6 months after injection in LR-PRP group (P>0.05), the above scores showed significant differences between different time points (P<0.05). At 1 month after injection, the Constant score in triamcinolone group significantly increased compared to before injection, while the VAS score significantly decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all scores between other time points in the triamcinolone group (P>0.05). Except for 1 month after injection, there was no significant difference in Constant score and VAS score between groups (P>0.05). At all other time points, the LR-PRP group and LP-PRP group had better scores than the triamcinolone group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the LR-PRP group and the LP-PRP group (P>0.05). MRI showed that only 4 patients in the LP-PRP group had signs of repair at the supraspinatus tendon injury site at 6 months after injection, while no significant tendon repair sign was observed in the other patients. Conclusion Compared with triamcinolone treatment, multiple injections of LP-PRP and LR-PRP under ultrasound can promote the recovery of shoulder joint function and significantly relieve pain in patients with supraspinatus tendon injury, and imaging improvement can be seen after LP-PRP treatment.
ObjectiveTo assess the effect of microfracture and biomimetic hydrogel scaffold on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model.MethodsGelatin and methacrylic anhydride were used to synthesize gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Then the GelMA were treated with ultraviolet rays and vacuum freeze-drying method to obtain a biomimetic hydrogel scaffold. The morphology of the scaffold was observed by gross observation and scanning electron microscope. Degradation of the scaffold was determined at different time points. Twenty-four adult New Zealand rabbits, weighting 2.8-3.5 kg and male or female, were surgically created the bilateral acute rotator cuff tear models. One shoulder was treated with microfractures on the footprint and transosseous suture (control group, n=24). The other shoulder was treated with the same way, except for putting the scaffold on the footprint before transosseous suture (experimental group, n=24). The general conditions of rabbits were observed postoperatively. Tendon-to-bone healing was evaluated by gross observation, Micro-CT, HE staining, and bio-mechanical testing at 4 and 8 weeks after operation.ResultsThe scaffold was white and has a porous structure with pore size of 31.7-89.9 μm, which degraded slowly in PBS solution. The degradation rate was about 95% at 18 days. All the rabbits survived to the completion of the experiment. Micro-CT showed that there was no obvious defect and re-tear at the tendon-to-bone interface in both groups. No difference was found in bone mineral density (BMD), tissue mineral density (TMD), and bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) between the two groups at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively (P>0.05). HE staining showed that the fibrous scar tissue was the main component at the tendon-to-bone interface in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively; the disorderly arranged mineralized cartilage and fibrocartilage formation were observed at the tendon-to-bone interface in the experimental group at 4 weeks, and the orderly arranged cartilage formation was observed at 8 weeks. Besides, the tendon maturation scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at 4 and 8 weeks (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ultimate load to failure and stiffness between the two groups at 4 weeks (P>0.05); the ultimate load to failure at 8 weeks was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control group (t=4.162, P=0.009), and no significant difference was found in stiffness between the two groups at 8 weeks (t=2.286, P=0.071).ConclusionCompared with microfracture alone, microfracture combined with biomimetic hydrogel scaffold can enhance tendon-to-bone healing and improve the ultimate load to failure in rabbits.
Objective To explore the mid-term effectiveness of arthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair for partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesion. Methods A clinical data of 39 patients with PASTA lesions, who underwent the arthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair and met the selected criteria between May 2017 and April 2021, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 26 females, with an average age of 63.7 years (range, 43-76 years). Nine patients underwent trauma history, and no obvious inducement was found in the other 30 patients. The main clinical symptom was shoulder pain with positive hug resistance test. The interval from symptom onset to operation was 3-21 months (mean, 8.3 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, American Association of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and shoulder range of motion (ROM) of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation were used to evaluate shoulder function. MRI was performed to assess the structural integrity and tension of reattached tendon. Patient satisfactions were calculated at last follow-up. Results All incisions healed by first intention with no complications such as incision infection or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 24-71 months (mean, 46.9 months). The VAS, UCLA, and ASES scores significantly improved at 24 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). The ROMs of forward flexion and external rotation of the shoulder joint significantly increased at 3 and 24 months, and further increased at 24 months compared to 3 months, with significant differences (P<0.05). However, the ROM of abduction of the shoulder joint at 3 months did not significantly improve compared with that before operation (P>0.05), and it was significantly greater at 24 months than before operation and at 3 months after operation (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the patients were very satisfied with the effectiveness in 30 cases (76.9%), satisfied in 5 cases (12.8%), and dissatisfied in 4 cases (10.3%). At 6 months after operation, 31 patients underwent reviews of MRI scans, of which 28 patients possessed intact structural integrity, good tendon tension and tendon healing, and 3 patients underwent tendon re-tear. ConclusionArthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair in treatment of PASTA lesion could obtain satisfying mid-term effectiveness with low risk of tendon re-tear.