Superior Capsule Reconstruction Is a Viable Option for Patients with Symptomatic, Isolated, and Irreparable Supraspinatus Tears

Ben Gabbott; Yemi Pearse; Magnus Arnander; Duncan Tennent

doi:10.1016/j.asmr.2021.11.021

Superior Capsule Reconstruction Is a Viable Option for Patients with Symptomatic, Isolated, and Irreparable Supraspinatus Tears

Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2022 Jan 14;4(2):e591-e597. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2021.11.021. eCollection 2022 Apr.

Authors

Ben Gabbott¹, Yemi Pearse¹, Magnus Arnander¹, Duncan Tennent¹

Affiliation

¹ Shoulder Unit, St. George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of superior capsular reconstruction for isolated subscapularis tears using a decellularized porcine allograft as a superior capsular reconstruction.

Methods: Patients who had symptomatic tears of supraspinatus who had failed to improve a conservative rehabilitation program were included. Previous surgery to the shoulder was not a bar to inclusion. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), the single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE) score, as well as clinically assessed for their shoulder range of motion (ROM). Patients were followed up with in-person clinic appointments for the first year, followed by a postal questionnaire and telephone consultation at a minimum of 2 years following surgery.

Results: Twenty patients (11 males and 9 females) with a mean age of 67.5 years were included (range: 54-72 years). The average follow-up period was 31 months (24-50). The mean improvement in OSS was 14 points (P < .001), SANE score was 27 points (P < .01). Significant improvements in mean ROM were recorded (flexion 80.7°; P < .001; abduction: 81°; P < .001; external rotation: 31°; P < .001). Six patients suffered SCR failures diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, despite this they still recorded improvements in recorded OSS, SANE and ROM (excluding external rotation). Patient demographics for failed superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) highlighted smoking and revision surgery as risk factors.

Conclusions: SCR appears to be a viable option for patients with symptomatic, isolated, and irreparable tears of the supraspinatus. Our results demonstrate that there are significant improvements in outcome scores and active range of motion, even in the subgroup in whom postoperative structural failure of the SCR was identified. We recommend caution in patients who have previously failed rotator cuff repair and in heavy smokers.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.