Correlation of atrophy and fatty infiltration on strength and integrity of rotator cuff repairs: A study in thirteen patients

In 13 patients, the development of supraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after rotator cuff tendon repair was quantified prospectively via magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperative electrical nerve stimulation at repair showed that the maximal supraspinatus tension (up to 200 N) stron...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2007-11, Vol.16 (6), p.691-696
Main Authors: Gerber, Christian, MD, Schneeberger, Alberto G., MD, Hoppeler, Hans, MD, Meyer, Dominik C., MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue - pathology
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Diseases of striated muscles. Neuromuscular diseases
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Electric Stimulation
Electrophysiology
Female
Humans
Juxtaarticular diseases. Extraarticular rhumatism
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength
Muscle Weakness
Muscle, Skeletal - pathology
Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology
Muscle, Skeletal - surgery
Muscular Atrophy
Neurology
Orthopedic Procedures - methods
Orthopedics
Rotator Cuff - pathology
Rotator Cuff - surgery
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Rupture
Tendons - pathology
Tendons - surgery
Treatment Failure
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In 13 patients, the development of supraspinatus muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after rotator cuff tendon repair was quantified prospectively via magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperative electrical nerve stimulation at repair showed that the maximal supraspinatus tension (up to 200 N) strongly correlated with the anatomic cross-sectional muscle area and with muscle fatty infiltration (ranging from 12 N/cm2 in Goutallier stage 3 to 42 N/cm2 in Goutallier stage 0). Within 1 year after successful tendon repair (n = 8), fatty infiltration did not recover, and atrophy improved partially at best; however, if the repair failed (n = 5), atrophy and fatty infiltration progressed significantly. The ability of the rotator cuff muscles to develop tension not only correlates with their atrophy but also closely correlates with their degree of fatty infiltration. With current repair techniques, atrophy and fatty infiltration appear to be irreversible, despite successful tendon repair. Unexpectedly, not only weak but also very strong muscles are at risk for repair failure.
ISSN:1058-2746
1532-6500
DOI:10.1016/j.jse.2007.02.122