Shoulder balloon spacer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears results in significant improvements.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of balloon implantation in patients with irreparable supraspinatus tears alone or in combination with other rotator cuff (RC) tendon tears and the effect of several covariables, such as age, gender, status of the long head biceps, with or without tendon repair and regardless the number of tendon involved.

Methods: Patients enrolled from 'San Carlo' Hospital of Potenza (Italy, IT), from January 2012 to September 2014, underwent arthroscopic implantation of shoulder balloon by a single surgeon, and followed for 3 years. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant score (CS) were administered pre-, post-operatively at 12 months, and then annually.

Achilles Tendinopathy Pathogenesis and Management: A Narrative Review.

The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon of the human body, and it is frequently injured during sports activity. The incidence of Achilles tendon pathologies has increased over recent decades, especially in the last few years, because of increased sports participation among the general population and due to the diffusion of competitive sports at a high level. Tendinopathies are common in athletes and in middle-aged overweight patients.

Rotational ankle instability: A current concept review.

Ankle sprains are extremely common. It is important to have a clear insight of the course of recovery after such injury to evaluate the effective strategies to guide management decisions, and understand the potential risk factors involved in the development of chronic problems and recurrent ankle sprains. When a prompt diagnosis is not formulated, ligament tears can remain untreated, and chronic ankle instability can result after acute lateral or medial ankle sprain.

Hand Flexor Tendon Repair: From Biology to Surgery and Rehabilitation.

Tendon biology and anatomy are crucial to manage hand flexor tendon injuries, not only for surgical treatment but also for rehabilitation; surgeon and physical therapist have to choose zone by zone the best way to manage and restore the normal function of hand flexor tendons.