Ultrasound Findings Aid Decisions to Repair Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion.

OBJECTIVES: Ultrasound (US) is useful for diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears and high-grade partial-thickness bursal-side tears. However, anisotropy artifacts make it difficult to identify partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) by US. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of US for PASTA and to uncover sensitive findings that could aid decisions to repair. METHODS: Patients who underwent preoperative US examinations and supraspinatus tendon confirmation by arthroscopic examinations were enrolled. We analyzed 52 PASTA cases involving greater than 50% thickness of the tendon and 52 age- and sex-matched cases with an intact supraspinatus. Two orthopedic surgeons blinded to the diagnosis interpreted US videos of the supraspinatus tendon. Six findings (echo defect, tendon delamination, echo change, tendon thickness, tendon fiber pattern, and cartilage interface sign) were assessed. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for each US finding. RESULTS: The cases consisted of 46 men and 58 women. The US diagnosis of PASTA showed sensitivity of 64.7%, specificity of 94.1%, and accuracy of 79.4%. The echo change in the short axis showed the highest sensitivity. Thinning and delamination showed the highest specificity of 100%. In contrast to previous reports, the sensitivity of the cartilage interface sign was low in both long-axis images (17.6%) and short-axis images (29.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnostic US to aid decisions regarding PASTA repair showed high specificity (94.1%) and moderate accuracy (79.4%). However, the sensitivity was only 64.7% and was affected by the examiner's experience with US.

Clinical outcome of arthroscopic SLAP repair: conventional vertical knot versus knotless horizontal mattress sutures.

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic repair of type II superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tears yields variable results. In this study, the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic knotless horizontal mattress repair were compared to those of conventional vertical knot repair. METHODS: Forty-six patients treated arthroscopically for isolated SLAP lesions were assessed. Forty-one of those patients underwent follow-up evaluations for a minimum of 2 years: 21 received vertical knot (group 1), while 20 received horizontal mattress (group 2). In group 1, an anchor was inserted at the superior glenoid. After relaying the sutures, knotting over the labral tissue was performed. In group 2, two strands were passed through the labrum and fixed into the glenoid with a bioabsorbable knotless anchor. Functional scores were evaluated preoperatively and at the final follow-up assessment. A visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and range of motion (ROM) were assessed preoperatively, 2 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in functional scores between groups (n.s.). However, external rotation at the side, internal rotation at abduction and total ROM were better in group 2 at the last follow-up visit. At 2 months postoperatively, the VAS for pain and ROM of internal rotation at abduction were better in group 2. CONCLUSION: At the final assessment, there were no significant differences in functional scores between the two groups. However, external rotation at the side, internal rotation at abduction and total ROM were better in group 2. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case-control study, Level III.

A new technique of arthroscopic fixation using double anchors for SLAP lesions.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and structural outcome of the new fixation technique of type-II SLAP repair using double anchors compared with conventional method. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with 29 shoulders, who were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery, were enrolled. Fourteen shoulders were treated using the new technique (group 1), and 15 shoulders using the conventional technique (group 2). The clinical outcomes were evaluated using two different functional scores, the pain VAS and range of motion. The postoperative labral integrity was determined by magnetic resonance imaging at 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: At postoperative 6 months, all functional scores of group 1 were superior to group 2, particularly in pain VAS and Constant Scoring System. All ranges of motion in group 1 showed a better result than in group 2, particularly in forward flexion and external rotation at 90° abduction (88° ± 4.8 in group 1 and 84° ± 9.2 in group 2, P = 0.03). At postoperative 12 months and the last visit, all functional scores in group 1 were superior to those in group 2 and all external rotations at 90° of abduction in group 1 showed significantly better results than those of group 2. All patients in group 1 showed complete healing of the repaired SLAP lesion but one patient in group 2 showed partial detachments on the MRI. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique provides anatomical restoration of a SLAP lesion and yields successful clinical and structural outcomes at a short-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Randomized controlled trials, level II.