BACKGROUND: Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) are widely performed in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears, including pseudoparalytic shoulder (PPS), and have shown positive clinical outcomes. However, limited studies have compared these two in terms of functional recovery in patients with PPS without osteoarthritic change. Thus, this study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and to clarify the characteristics and differences in temporal changes among patients who underwent either RTSA or SCR using tensor fascia lata for PPS due to irreparable rotator cuff tear without osteoarthritic change (Hamada grade ≤ 3).
METHODS: We enrolled a total of 39 patients who underwent SCR (n = 20) or RTSA (n = 19 cases) with a follow-up period of 2 years. All patients were follow-up at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and temporal changes in ROMs were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: The SCR group had significantly better ROM than the RTSA group in flexion (146° ± 34° vs. 132° ± 23°, P = 0.022), abduction (147° ± 36° vs. 130° ± 23°, P = 0.0092), internal rotation (11 ± 3 Th10 vs. 6 ± 3 L3, P < 0.001), and ASES score (84.1 ± 13.8 vs. 80.1 ± 6.1, P = 0.0096). While the RTSA group achieved 100° in flexion and abduction after 3 months postoperatively, the SCR group took approximately 5 months. However, the SCR group exceeded the RTSA group in flexion and abduction at six months postoperatively. In the SCR group, some patients with irreparable subscapularis tendon tears could not achieve 90° shoulder elevation. Both groups showed significant improvements in shoulder flexion and abduction compared to the preoperative state (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Although SCR requires a longer rehabilitation period, it provides similar outcomes to RTSA after two years for non-osteoarthritic, irreparable cuff tears with pseudoparalysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze whether unique SCR with key-hole technique using Achilles allograft can improve pseudoparalysis in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears and additionally to identify preoperative factors that influence clinical outcomes.
METHODS: Between January 2018 and October 2021, patient data from SCR with our institution\'s unique key-hole technique using Achilles were retrospectively collected (minimum 2-years follow up). The patients were categorized into pseudoparalysis group (P group) and no pseudoparalysis group (NP group). Active range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, clinical scores (constant and pain visual analog scale scores) and muscle strength was assessed preoperatively and at 2-years postoperatively. And the correlation between preoperative and postoperative clinical data was analyzed through simple linear regression in the P group.
RESULTS: 69 patients who underwent SCR with key-hole technique using Achilles, were included in the study. Group P and NP had 24 and 45 cases, respectively. Preoperative ROM (FE, ER), constant score and muscle strength (FE, ER) were significantly lower in P group than NP group. At 2-year follow-up the active ROM (FE, p<0.001, ER, p<0.001), constant score, VAS, muscle strength (FE, p<0.001, ER, p<0.001) were improved in the P group. In P group, pseudoparalysis recovered in 21 out of 24 patients (87.5%) at 2-year after surgery. The minimum clinically important difference of patient reported outcomes (Constant Score / VAS) were 8.15/1.05 for the P group and 9.47/0.92 for the NP group. Among the 3 cases of recovery failed, 2 cases were due to graft failure, and 1 case had delayed recovery. Prolonged preoperative pseudoparalysis and weaker preoperative external rotation strength were associated with worse clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Superior capsular reconstruction with mini open key-hole technique using Achilles allograft demonstrates favorable outcomes for patients with preoperative pseudoparalysis. However, for SCR with the pseudoparalyis patients the careful attention is needed because the longer pseudoparalysis duration and the weaker external rotation strength could have the tendency of worse postoperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare side-to-side superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) with over-the-top SCR in terms of functional outcomes, pain relief and allograft survival rates.
METHODS: Patients who had undergone arthroscopic dermal allograft SCR for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears and clinical follow-up for ≥2 years were recruited. All patients underwent postoperative assessment with routine radiographic analysis for acromiohumeral distances, ultrasound imaging 1 and 3 months after SCR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at least 12 months after SCR. The outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores.
RESULTS: SCR was performed in 56 patients including side-to-side SCR in 32 and over-the-top SCR in 24. Postoperative MRI showed that the grafts were intact in 46 patients (82.1%; 26 who underwent side-to-side SCR and 20 who underwent over-the-top SCR). The proportion of nonhealing grafts in the over-the-top group was significantly higher with concomitant subscapularis tears (60% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.02). VAS scores and functional outcomes improved postoperatively in both groups and postoperative VAS (1.4 vs. 1.7; n.s.), Constant (74.8 vs. 76.0; n.s.), mean ASES (87.4 vs. 89.1; n.s.) and mean SANE (81.7 vs. 84.3; n.s.) scores did not differ significantly.
CONCLUSIONS: For massive rotator cuff tears, over-the-top and side-to-side SCR achieve similar pain relief and functional improvement, and the rate of healing allografts is high. However, over-the-top SCR is not recommended for massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with repairable subscapularis tendon tears due to a higher nonhealing rate.
METHODS: Level III.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical one-year evolution of healed and rerupture lesions in patients who received a rotator cuff repair plus Superior Capsular Reconstruction (SCR) with the long head of the biceps (LHB). Moreover, to compare this evolution between men and women.
METHODS: A pilot study was conducted on patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair plus SCR with LHB between February 2021 and June 2022. All patients completed pre-operative and one-year post-operative evaluations for tendon type of tear and tendon integrity using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)after one year of the surgery. Besides, functionality was evaluated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score; the visual analog scale for pain (VAS); and the Constant score.
RESULTS: A total of 38 patients completed the one-year final evaluation, they presented an increased functionality score to 83 and 86 in Constant and ASES scales (p < .001), respectively. Besides, 84% of the patients presented a healed cuff, while rerupture occurred in 16% of the patients. There were differences between the healed and rerupture patients in the total Constant score, with a remarkable increase in the strength subscale, almost double for patients with healed cuff (p < .001); in the same way, daily life activity score, and balance subscale increased, while pain score decreased in the healed cuff group (p < .05). There was no difference in functionality between men and women (p > .05). Besides, almost all patients achieved the MCID in both ASES and Constant total scores, irrespectively of the healing group.
CONCLUSIONS: The cuff repair using SCR with the LHB achieved a low percentage of rerupture and a functional improvement after one year of follow-up. Patients who healed the lesion presented more strength and better performance in daily life activities than those with cuff repurture. Thus, SCR + LHB procedure can be considered an efficient technique for rotator cuff repair surgery for both men and women. Although a comparison with a control group is needed to confirm these findings.

This paper reports a pathological comparison between the synovium of the shoulder with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) with or without an allograft in the same patient and assesses allograft remodeling after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR). A 49-year-old man underwent SCR with a fascia lata allograft for irreparable RCTs. Two years postoperatively, the patient underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for left RCTs and arthroscopic debridement to alleviate right shoulder pain. Additionally, revascularization was confirmed in the allograft of the fascia lata. In conclusion, allografts are considered highly safe and expected to be engrafted after SCR.

UNASSIGNED: The goals of this study were to optimize superior capsular reconstruction by assessing the relative fixation strength of 4 suture anchors; evaluating 3 glenoid neck locations for fixation strength and bone mineral density (BMD); determining if there is a correlation between BMD and fixation strength; and determining which portal sites have optimal access to the posterosuperior and anterosuperior glenoid neck for anchor placement.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty cadaveric specimens were randomized into 4 groups: all-suture anchor (FiberTak), conventional 3.0-mm knotless suture anchor (SutureTak), 3.9-mm knotless PEEK (polyetheretherketone) Corkscrew anchor, and 4.5-mm Bio-Corkscrew anchor. Each specimen was prepared with 3 anchors into the glenoid: an anterosuperior anchor, superior anchor, and posterosuperior anchor. All anchors were inserted into the superior glenoid neck 5 mm from the glenoid rim. A materials testing system performed cyclic testing (250 cycles) followed by load-to-failure testing at 12.5 mm/s. Cyclic elongation, first cycle excursion, maximum load, and stiffness were recorded. Using custom software, BMD was calculated at each anchor location. This software was also used to assess access to the posterosuperior and anterosuperior glenoid neck from standard arthroscopic portal positions.
UNASSIGNED: There was no significant difference in cyclic elongation (P = .546), first cycle excursion (P = .476), maximum load (P = .817), or stiffness (P = .309) among glenoid anchor positions. Cyclic elongation was significantly longer in the PEEK Corkscrew group relative to the other implants (P ≤ .002). First cycle excursion was significantly greater in the FiberTak group relative to all other implants (P ≤ .008). For load-to-failure testing, the Bio-Corkscrew group achieved the highest maximum load (P ≤ .001). No other differences in cyclic or failure testing were observed between the groups. No differences in stiffness testing were observed (P = .133). The superior glenoid rim had the greatest BMD (P = .003), but there was no correlation between BMD and cyclic/load outcomes. The posterior portal (80% of specimens) and the anterior portal (60% of specimens) demonstrated the best access to the posterosuperior and anterosuperior glenoid neck, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The 4.5-mm Bio-Corkscrew anchor provided the most robust fixation to the glenoid during superior capsular reconstruction as it demonstrated the strongest maximum load, had minimal elongation, had minimal first cycle excursion, and did not fail during cyclic testing. The superior glenoid neck had the highest BMD; however, there was no correlation between BMD or glenoid anchor location and biomechanical outcomes. The posterior portal and anterior portal provided optimal access to the posterosuperior glenoid neck and anterosuperior glenoid neck, respectively.

BACKGROUND: To compare the histopathological results of biceps tenodesis (BT) performed with normal, low, and high pressures for superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) in rabbits with massive rotator cuff tears.
METHODS: Thirty rabbits were divided into three groups. Rabbits 1-10 underwent SCR with BT at the same pressure (Group 1), value measured in the groove; 50% lower (Group 2); 50% higher (Group 3). After the 4-week follow-up, shoulder were en-bloc excised and histopathological evaluation was performed with modified Bonar\'s scale. Results were compared between the groups, statistically.
RESULTS: Extracellular matrix were significantly lower in group 2 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Cellularity levels were significantly lower in group 2 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Group 2 had no difference between the sides (p > 0.05). Group 2 had lower vascularity levels compared to the other groups (p = 0.01).
UNASSIGNED: When the biceps tendon was in the bicipital groove and in a more mobile state with lower pressure exposure. BT performed with a tension that creates less pressure than the biceps in the groove is more successful in SCR.

UNASSIGNED: Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and lower trapezius tendon transfer (LTT) have recently been used to manage irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears (PSRCTs). There has been a paucity of comparative biomechanical considerations between the 2 procedures.
UNASSIGNED: To compare the glenohumeral stability and biomechanical properties between SCR and LTT in PSRCTs involving the entire infraspinatus tendon region.
UNASSIGNED: Controlled laboratory study.
UNASSIGNED: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested at 0°, 20°, and 40° of shoulder abduction. Maximum internal, external, and total humeral range of motion (ROM), superior translation of the humeral head, and subacromial contact characteristics were compared among 4 conditions: (1) intact rotator cuff, (2) PSRCTs involving the entire infraspinatus tendon region, (3) LTT using Achilles allograft (12 N and 24 N of loading), and (4) SCR using fascia lata allograft.
UNASSIGNED: Although a decrease in total ROM was noted in LTT with 12 N compared with the tear condition, LTT with both 12 N and 24 N as well as SCR did not restrict total rotational ROM compared with the intact condition. LTT had decreased total ROM compared with tear condition at 20° of abduction (P = .042), while no significant decrease was confirmed at all abduction angles after SCR. SCR and LTT with 24 N decreased superior translation compared with the PSRCT condition at 0° and 20° of abduction (P < .037) but not significantly at 40° of abduction, whereas LTT with a 24-N load decreased glenohumeral superior translation at all abduction angles (P < .039). Both SCR and LTT decreased subacromial contact pressure compared with the tear condition (P < .014) at all abduction angles. SCR decreased subacromial contact pressure at 0° and 40° of abduction (P = .019 and P = .048, respectively) compared with LTT with 12 N of loading, while there was no difference between SCR and LTT with 24 N of loading in all abduction angles. SCR increased the contact area compared with the PSRCT condition at all abduction angles (P < .023), whereas LTT did not increase the contact area.
UNASSIGNED: SCR and LTT decreased glenohumeral superior translation and contact pressure compared with PSRCT conditions. The LTT was superior to SCR in terms of superior translation of the humeral head at a higher shoulder abduction angle, whereas the SCR showed more advantageous subacromial contact characteristics compared with LTT.
UNASSIGNED: These biomechanical findings provide insights into these 2 fundamentally different procedures for the treatment of young and active patients with PSRCTs involving the entire infraspinatus tendon region.

UNASSIGNED: Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (ASCR) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) have both shown favorable outcomes in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCTs).
UNASSIGNED: To (1) compare the clinical outcomes of ASCR versus RSA in patients aged ≥65 years with IRCTs and (2) compare serial changes in clinical outcomes between treatment groups.
UNASSIGNED: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
UNASSIGNED: This study included patients with IRCTs without glenohumeral osteoarthritis who underwent either ASCR or RSA between March 2013 and December 2020 and had at least 2 years of follow-up data. We assessed active range of motion, a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score at the preoperative, short-term (postoperative 6-12 months), and final follow-up times.
UNASSIGNED: In total, 64 patients (ASCR, 31 patients; RSA, 33 patients) were included. The mean age of patients was 71.3 ± 4.4 and 72.9 ± 4.1 years, and the mean final follow-up duration was 42 ± 21.8 and 37.7 ± 21.7 months in the ASCR and RSA groups, respectively. At the short-term follow-up, RSA achieved significant improvements in all clinical outcomes, except for internal rotation (IR), while ASCR only showed significant improvements in VAS pain, ASES, and SANE scores. Compared with the preoperative period, both ASCR and RSA achieved significant improvements in all clinical outcomes, except for IR in the RSA group at the final follow-up. The ASCR group achieved better IR and ASES scores at the final follow-up, while the time taken to recover from pseudoparalysis was shorter after RSA. The ASCR group showed a 67.8% graft healing rate at the 1-year follow-up, while the RSA group showed 12.1% of scapular notching at the final follow-up. No other postoperative complications were observed in either group.
UNASSIGNED: ASCR and RSA achieved favorable clinical outcomes in the study cohort. At the short-term follow-up, RSA showed significant improvements in all clinical outcomes, except for IR, while ASCR only showed significant improvements in VAS pain, ASES, and SANE scores. At the final follow-up, however, ASCR had better IR and ASES scores compared with RSA.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and the effects of gender and age on achieving clinically significant outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (ASCR) with a minimum 2-year follow-up.
METHODS: Patients undergoing ASCR for irreparable rotator cuff tear between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative PROMs were collected, including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant, single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) were calculated for each functional score and analyzed according to age and gender. The percentages of patients achieving MCID and PASS were recorded.
RESULTS: The study included 83 patients, with a mean follow-up of 3.5 ± 1.4 years. Significant improvements were found in ASES, Constant, SANE, and VAS for all groups based on gender and age. Based on receiver-operating characteristic curves, all scores had acceptable areas under the curve for PASS. Values for PASS and MCID were 81.5 and 10.3 for ASES; 61.5 and 6.2 for Constant; 82.5 and 11.5 for SANE and 1.5 and 1.1 for VAS, respectively. Analysis of achieving MCID and PASS showed no difference between the groups in the majority of outcome measures. However, female patients achieved the SANE thresholds for PASS at significantly higher rates than male patients. Patients ≥65 years old achieved ASES and Constant thresholds for MCID at significantly higher rates than patients ˂65 years old.
CONCLUSIONS: Most patients achieved MCID and PASS at a 2-year follow-up. Patients showed comparable rates of MCID and PASS achievement on most outcome tools based on age and gender. Female patients achieved PASS on SANE at significantly higher rates than male patients and older patients achieved MCID on ASES and Constant at higher rates than young patients. Thus, age is a stronger factor for achieving MCID than gender.
METHODS: Level II.