Validating the Glenoid Track Concept Using Dynamic Arthroscopic Assessment.

Background: Failure after isolated Bankart repair has led surgeons to consider when to address the Hill-Sachs lesion, which is thought to be a contributor to recurrent instability. One approach utilizes the glenoid track concept to determine whether a Hill-Sachs lesion is classified as "off-track," suggesting that the addition of a remplissage procedure may aid stability. However, the accuracy and reliability of using this approach require validation using an appropriate reference.

The relationship between preoperative Goutallier stage and retear rates following posterosuperior rotator cuff repair: a systematic review.

Background: An association between higher preoperative Goutallier stage and higher retear rates following primary rotator cuff repairs has been previously reported. However, there are few reviews which have described clear retear rates for each repaired tendon classified according to preoperative Goutallier stage. The purpose of this study was therefore to systematically review the literature on the relationship between preoperative Goutallier stage and retear rates and provide predictable retear rates following primary repair of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

Graft Healing Is More Important Than Graft Technique: Superior Capsular Reconstruction Versus Bridging Grafts-A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To compare superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) versus bridging graft (BG) for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Methods: A prospective double-blind randomized study was conducted to compare SCR versus BG for massive irreparable RCTs. Fifty patients (mean age: 60.

Bony Apprehension Test for Identifying Bone Loss in Patients With Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Instability: A Validation Study.

Background: The presence of bone loss has important implications for the surgical treatment of patients with recurrent shoulder instability. The bony apprehension test (BAT) is a physical examination maneuver that was designed to improve specificity from the anterior apprehension test (AAT) in detecting critical bone loss.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the BAT with the AAT and relocation test based on their abilities to predict critical bone loss.

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Patients With Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears or Tendinopathy Leads to Significantly Improved Short-Term Pain Relief and Function Compared With Corticosteroid Injection: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To perform a randomized controlled trial comparing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with standard corticosteroid (CS) injection in providing pain relief and improved function in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs).

Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with ultrasound-proven or magnetic resonance imaging-proven PTRCTs who received either an ultrasound-guided PRP or CS injection. Patients completed patient-reported outcome assessments at baseline and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after injection.

Determining the rate of full-thickness progression in partial-thickness rotator cuff tears: a systematic review.

Background: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are likely at least as common as full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and it is critical for surgeons to have knowledge of the tear progression rate of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears when determining surgical or nonsurgical treatment. However, a systematic review investigating the rate of tear progression of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears has not been performed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature and determine the rate of full-thickness progression in nonoperatively treated partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: What Is the Rate of Tear Progression? A Systematic Review.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature and determine the rate of radiographic tear progression of nonoperatively treated full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed to identify all articles related to nonoperatively treated rotator cuff tears. English-language studies of Level I through IV evidence examining chronic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears in adults were included.

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears: clinical and imaging outcomes and prognostic factors of successful nonoperative treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical success rate of nonoperative treatment of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs), to determine baseline clinical factors predictive of outcome of nonoperative treatment of PT-RCTs, and to determine the imaging outcome of nonoperative treatment of PT-RCTs.

Patients And Methods: All patients with a primary diagnosis of a PT-RCT were eligible for inclusion. Seventy-six patients (48 males, 28 females) with an average age of 52±10 years were included in the study.

What happens to patients when we do not repair their cuff tears? Five-year rotator cuff quality-of-life index outcomes following nonoperative treatment of patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine 5-year outcomes in a prospective cohort of patients previously enrolled in a nonoperative rotator cuff tear treatment program.

Methods: Patients with chronic (>3 months), full-thickness rotator cuff tears (demonstrated on imaging) who were referred to 1 of 2 senior shoulder surgeons were enrolled in the study between October 2008 and September 2010. They participated in a comprehensive, nonoperative, home-based treatment program.

Magnetic resonance imaging arthrography following type II superior labrum from anterior to posterior repair: interobserver and intraobserver reliability.

Background: Arthroscopic repair of type II superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions is a common surgical procedure. However, anatomic healing following repair has rarely been investigated. The intraobserver and interobserver reliability of magnetic resonance imaging arthrography (MRA) following type II SLAP repair has not previously been investigated.

Arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions: Clinical and anatomic follow-up.

Aims: The aim was to evaluate the clinical and anatomic outcome of arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions.

Materials And Methods: The senior author performed isolated repairs of 25 type II SLAP lesions in 25 patients with a mean age of 40.0 ± 12 years.

The rotator cuff quality-of-life index predicts the outcome of nonoperative treatment of patients with a chronic rotator cuff tear.

Background: Chronic rotator cuff tears are prevalent and can be disabling. The existing literature is unclear regarding the effectiveness of nonoperative treatment. The purposes of this study were to determine whether the outcome of nonoperative treatment can be predicted on the basis of the presenting clinical characteristics and whether the outcome achieved at three months after treatment can be maintained at two years.

Transtendon rotator-cuff repair of partial-thickness articular surface tears can lead to medial rotator-cuff failure.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and anatomic outcomes of patients following transtendon rotator-cuff repair of partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions.

Patients And Methods: Patients in the senior author's practice who had isolated PASTA lesions treated by transtendon rotator-cuff repair were included (n=8) and retrospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and at a mean of 21.

Arthroscopic repair of massive, contracted, immobile tears using interval slides: clinical and MRI structural follow-up.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and structural outcomes of arthroscopic repair of massive, contracted, immobile rotator cuff tears using interval slides.

Methods: Eleven patients who had rotator cuff tears that were irreparable using standard mobilization techniques, but were repaired using interval slides were reviewed. Patients were evaluated at mean 25.

The use of an intra-articular depth guide in the measurement of partial thickness rotator cuff tears.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the conventional method for determining the percentage of partial thickness rotator cuff tears to a method using an intra-articular depth guide. The clinical utility of the intra-articular depth guide was also examined.