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Reconstruction of massive rotator cuff lesions with a synthetic interposition graft: a prospective study of 41 patients

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

In the present prospective study, we report about our experience with massive rotator cuff tears treated by means of a nonresorbable transosseously fixated patch combined with subacromial decompression. Forty-one patients were followed clinically and radiographically for a mean duration of 43 months. Their mean preoperative Constant and Murley score improved (P<0.001) from 25.7 preoperatively to 72.1 postoperatively. Substantial pain relief and improvement in the performance of activities of daily living were obtained. Anatomically, the repair resulted in a mean acromiohumeral interval of 8.6 mm. At the latest follow-up, three patients presented with a new tear between the inserted mesh and the supraspinatus musculotendinous unit. Reoperations were not performed. For short-term periods, restoring a massive rotator cuff tendon defect with synthetic grafts combined with subacromial decompression can give significant pain relief and improvement of range of motion and strength with few complications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. S. Marcelis, Department of Radiology, St. Andries Hospital, Tielt, Belgium, for his help with the interpretation of the ultrasonographic images and Miss I. Wojtowicz, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium, for revising the manuscript. We also wish to thank Ir. A. Audenaert, Ph.D., Antwerp University, for her help with the statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Andries Hospital, Krommewal 9–11, 8700, Tielt, Belgium

    E. Audenaert, J. Van Nuffel, A. Schepens & M. Verhelst

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    R. Verdonk

Authors
  1. E. Audenaert
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  2. J. Van Nuffel
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  3. A. Schepens
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  4. M. Verhelst
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  5. R. Verdonk
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Correspondence to J. Van Nuffel.

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Each author certifies that he has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with the ethical principles of research.

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Audenaert, E., Van Nuffel, J., Schepens, A. et al. Reconstruction of massive rotator cuff lesions with a synthetic interposition graft: a prospective study of 41 patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14, 360–364 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0689-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0689-7

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