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. 2022 Jul;14(1 Suppl):76-82.
doi: 10.1177/1758573220960468. Epub 2020 Sep 24.

The subacromial spacer system for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: A retrospective study of 47 patients with a two-year follow-up

Aristotelis Kaisidis  1 , Panagiotis Pantos  1 , Dimitrios Bochlos  1
Affiliations

The subacromial spacer system for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: A retrospective study of 47 patients with a two-year follow-up

Aristotelis Kaisidis et al. Shoulder Elbow. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Numerous surgical options are available for the management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, but there are no current definitive guidelines concerning the optimal treatment modality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a biodegradable subacromial spacer (InSpace) implantation in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving 47 patients treated with the InSpace balloon between 2016 and 2018. Shoulder function was assessed using Constant Score. Pain was scored using a visual analogue scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 10.

Results: At an average follow-up of 24.6 months (range 12-38), the Constant Score had improved from 39.4 to 71.5 points (p < 0.0001). The range of motion, a main component of Constant Score, was improved after two years, from 27.6 to 42.2 points (p < .001). The visual analogue scale score decreased from 6.32 at baseline to a mean score of 2.7 points (p < 0.0001).

Discussion: Arthroscopic deployment of the InSpace device was found to be a safe, reliable treatment option in patients with painful irreparable rotator cuff tears, with meaningful improvement in shoulder function without serious complications.

Keywords: Irreparable rotator cuff tears; functional scores; shoulder arthroscopy; subacromial spacer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Measuring with the probe to choose the correct size.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Correct positioning of the balloon.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Visual analogue scale for pain—two-year follow-up. VAS: visual analogue scale.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Total constant shoulder score.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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