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Review
. 2023 Mar 4;3(3):331-335.
doi: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2023.01.010. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Subacromial balloon spacers for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears: a review

John K McNamara 3rd  1 , Suleiman Y Sudah  2 , Joseph E Manzi  3 , David S Constantinescu  4 , Allen D Nicholson  5 , Mariano E Menendez  6
Affiliations
Review

Subacromial balloon spacers for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears: a review

John K McNamara 3rd et al. JSES Rev Rep Tech. .

Abstract

Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a commonly encountered orthopedic condition that can be difficult to treat. Several techniques have been described to manage these tears, with the implantable subacromial balloon spacer being one of the most recent. The device, which has only been approved for clinical use in the United States since 2021, functions by resisting the superior humeral head migration seen in the setting of massive RCTs and restoring normal shoulder biomechanics, as corroborated by cadaveric studies. However, results regarding clinical outcomes have been mixed to date, and further high-quality studies are needed to define the optimal use of the subacromial balloon spacer in the treatment of massive irreparable RCTs.

Keywords: Irreparable rotator cuff tear; Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty; Rotator cuff tear; Shoulder surgery; Subacromial balloon spacer; Superior capsular reconstruction.

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