1.Revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Interpretation of the consensus by the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA).
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(1):1-4
Revision of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is more challenging than primary ACL reconstruction and often yields less favorable outcomes. The European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) has established a consensus regarding preoperative diagnosis, assessment, and selection criteria for ACL revision surgery. This consensus addresses 18 key issues that are most pertinent to clinical practice, providing guiding recommendations aimed at improving the prognosis of ACL revisions.
Humans
;
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods*
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
;
Societies, Medical
;
Reoperation
;
Consensus
;
Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery*
;
Europe
;
Sports Medicine
;
Knee Injuries/surgery*
;
Knee Joint/surgery*
2.Wrist arthroscopic Wafer surgery combined with triangular fibrocartilage complex insertion point reconstruction in treatment of Palmer type ⅡC combined with type ⅠB ulnar impingement syndrome.
Yong LI ; Mingming MA ; Xiaojun RUAN ; Yongbin FU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(1):59-63
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectivess of arthroscopic Wafer surgery combined with triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) insertion point reconstruction in the treatment of Palmer type ⅡC combined with typeⅠB ulnar impingement syndrome.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 14 patients with Parlmer type ⅡC combined with type ⅠB ulnar impingement syndrome who met the selection criteria between July 2021 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 7 females with an average age of 43 years ranging from 16 to 59 years. The causes of injury were fall in 8 cases and sprain in 6 cases. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 6 months, with an average of 2.3 months. Distal radioulnar joint instability was found in all cases. Arthroscopic Wafer surgery combined with TFCC insertion point reconstruction was used. The effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the wrist flexion-dorsiflexion range of motion, wrist ulnar deviation-radial deflection range of motion, forearm pronation-supination range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and modified Mayo wrist score before and after operation.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9.1 months. The positive variation of ulna was (3.2±0.7) mm before operation, and the negative variation of ulna was (2.2±0.6) mm after operation. There was a significant difference in ulna variation between pre- and post-operation ( t=23.851, P<0.001). The pain symptoms and forearm rotation function of the patients after operation significantly improved. At last follow-up, the wrist flexion-dorsiflexion range of motion, wrist ulnar deviation-radial deflection range of motion, forearm pronation-supination range of motion, VAS score, and modified Mayo wrist score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic Wafer surgery combined with TFCC insertion point reconstruction can effectively relieve wrist pain, enhance the stability of the distal radioulnar joint, and restore the function of the wrist in patients with Palmer type ⅡC combined with type ⅠB ulnar impingement syndrome.
Humans
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Female
;
Triangular Fibrocartilage/surgery*
;
Middle Aged
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Wrist Joint/physiopathology*
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
Ulna/surgery*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Wrist Injuries/surgery*
;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
;
Joint Instability/surgery*
3.Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture involving anterior root of lateral meniscus with wire anchor nailing composite double pulley technique.
Kunming YANG ; Xinmin WANG ; Han WANG ; Guoshuai LIU ; Bing LI ; Yuxi BAI ; Fei LIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(4):440-445
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectiveness of knee arthroscopy with wire anchor nailing composite double pulley technique in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fracture involving the anterior root of the lateral meniscus (LM).
METHODS:
Clinical data of 35 patients with ACL tibial avulsion fracture involving the anterior root of the LM admitted between January 2019 and September 2023 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analysed. There were 20 males and 15 females; ages ranged from 10 to 57 years, with a mean of 29 years. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 3 to 20 days, with a mean of 9.6 days. Meyers-McKeever classification included 5 cases of type Ⅱ, 12 cases of type Ⅲ, and 18 cases of type Ⅳ. Preoperative anterior knee instability Lachman test and anterior drawer test were positive. The anterior root of the LM as well as the avulsion fracture block were fixed using suture anchor nails compounded with double pulley technique under arthroscopy. Postoperative X-ray films were performed to assess fracture healing; knee stability was assessed using the anterior drawer test and Lachman test, anterior laxity of the knee was measured by KT-2000, and knee function was assessed using the Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score; at last follow-up, the recovery of the meniscus was assessed using the McMurry test and knee hyperextension test.
RESULTS:
All the patients were successfully operated, the operation time ranged from 56 to 78 minutes,with an average of 67.6 minutes, and there was no nerve or blood vessel injury during operation. Thirty-five cases were followed up 12-18 months with an average of 15.1 months. During the follow-up, there was no infection, knee stiffness, loosening of internal fixation, fracture displacement, or re-fracture. The fractures all healed, with a clinical healing time of 8-15 weeks, averaging 10.9 weeks. At last follow-up, 4 patients had weakly positive anterior drawer test and Lachman test, and the rest were negative; McMurry test and knee hyperextension test were negative; no patient complained of knee extension pain or straightening obstacles, and all the patients resumed their normal life or sports and labour; 16 patients with unclosed epiphyses did not have any epiphyseal injuries or growth disorders. Lysholm score, IKDC score, and KT-2000 anterior knee laxity at last follow-up significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The treatment of ACL tibial avulsion fracture involving the anterior root of the LM with suture anchor composite double pulley technique can effectively fix the anterior root of the LM while fixing the avulsion fracture block, and better restore the function and stability of the knee joint.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Adolescent
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Tibial Fractures/surgery*
;
Young Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Fractures, Avulsion/surgery*
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery*
;
Child
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Suture Anchors
;
Menisci, Tibial/surgery*
;
Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery*
;
Bone Nails
;
Knee Joint/surgery*
4.Short-term effectiveness of transtibial pull-out technique for complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body.
Hehe ZHONG ; Pengpeng SUN ; Jing CHEN ; Haohao YAO ; Huazhang XIONG ; Shuhong WU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(4):446-450
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the short-term effectiveness of transtibial pull-out technique combined with side-to-side suture technique in treatment of complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body.
METHODS:
Between May 2020 and August 2023, 15 patients with complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body were repaired by arthroscopic transtibial pull-out technique combined with side-to-side suture technique. There were 11 males and 4 females, with an average age of 25.2 years (range, 15-43 years). Twelve cases were acute injuries and 3 were chronic injuries. All patients had tenderness in the lateral compartment of the knee. No abnormal alignment was observed on the X-ray films of the knee. MRI showed the complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body without associated injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament or cartilage. Preoperative Lysholm score was 44.5±6.4, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score was 40.2±8.4, Tegner score was 1.3±1.1, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain was 5.1±1.1. The operation time, incision healing, and complications such as vascular/nerve injury were recorded. During follow-up, the range of motion of the knee and tenderness in the lateral compartment of the knee were observed. The knee function and pain were evaluated using Lysholm score, Tegner score, IKDC subjective score, and VAS score. X-ray films and MRI of the knee were reexamined to assess knee degeneration.
RESULTS:
The operation time was 60-145 minutes (mean, 89.6 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as vascular/nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 17-56 months (mean, 38.4 months). All patients had no knee extension limitation and 3 cases had tenderness in the lateral compartment of the knee. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score, IKDC subjective score, Tegner score, and VAS score for pain were 85.3±7.8, 82.1±15.7, 4.7±1.2, and 1.5±1.0, respectively, which were superior to those before operation ( P<0.05). Imaging reexamination showed that the meniscus was reset at 1 day after operation, and there was no sign of knee degeneration at last follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Transtibial pull-out technique combined with side-to-side suture technique can effectively treat the complete radial tear of lateral meniscus body and obtain good short-term effectiveness.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery*
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Suture Techniques
;
Tibia/surgery*
;
Menisci, Tibial/surgery*
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
5.Effectiveness of arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of long head of biceps tendon in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear.
Pengfei FU ; Jinxiang TIAN ; Biao GUO ; Dongqiang YANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(4):451-456
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients with rotator cuff tears and LHBT injuries admitted between June 2022 and November 2023. All patients underwent arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of LHBT in situ. There were 12 males and 19 females, with an average age of 61.6 years (range, 53-76 years). There were 10 cases of acute injury and 21 cases of chronic injury. According to DeOrio and Cofield classification criteria, the degree of rotator cuff tear rated as medium-sized tears in 3 cases, large tears in 12 cases, and massive tears in 16 cases. Associated injuries included 5 cases of shoulder joint adhesions, 12 cases of subscapularis muscle tears, and 31 case of shoulder impingement syndromes. The shoulder range of motion (ROM) (forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, lateral internal rotation) and pain/function scores [visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, Constant-Murley score] were recorded before operation and at last follow-up. MRI at last follow-up were taken to evaluate the rotator cuff healing and structural integrity.
RESULTS:
All 31 surgeries were successfully completed with operation time ranging from 90 to 210 minutes (mean, 144 minutes). The 3-5 anchors (mean, 3.8 anchors) were used during operation. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-29 months (mean, 18.5 months). At 3 months after operation, 2 cases developed joint adhesions, 3 had internal rotation limitations, and 2 experienced residual pain at the intertubercular groove, all resolved with conservative management. No Popeye deformity occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, shoulder ROM (forward flexion, abduction, lateral external rotation, lateral internal rotation) and pain/function scores (VAS, UCLA, and Constant-Murley scores) showed significant improvements compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, MRI evaluation showed that the rotator cuff healing rate reached 90.3% according to the Sugaya classification criteria. LHBT exhibited normal morphology, course, and continuity without dislocation. Surrounding synovial sheath showed no thickening or effusion.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic double fixation and enhanced suture of LHBT in situ for repairing rotator cuff tear can significantly reduce shoulder joint pain, improve ROM, and achieve a high rotator cuff healing rate.
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Rotator Cuff Injuries/physiopathology*
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Aged
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Suture Techniques
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Rotator Cuff/surgery*
;
Shoulder Joint/physiopathology*
;
Tendons/surgery*
6.Simplified all-arthroscopic Broström technique in treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability in adolescents.
Xiancheng HUANG ; Sufen YE ; Canfeng LI ; Yong LUO ; Jiatong LI ; Mingyang ZOU ; Tian YOU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(4):457-461
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate effectiveness of simplified all-arthroscopic Broström technique in treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability in adolescents.
METHODS:
A clinical data of 21 adolescent patients with chronic lateral ankle instability, who met the selection criteria and were admitted between June 2023 and May 2024, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 3 females with an average age of 16.0 years (range, 13-18 years). There were 9 cases of left ankle joint injury and 12 cases of right ankle joint injury. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury was diagnosed by arthroscopy in all patients. There were 11 cases of cartilage injury, 5 cases of avulsion fractures, and 6 cases of ankle impingement syndrome. The time from first sprain to operation ranged from 3-60 months (mean, 12.0 months). The ATFL was repaired and the ankle joint stability was restored by simplified all-arthroscopic Broström technique. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Tegner score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Karlsson ankle function scale (KAFS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were used to evaluate ankle pain and function. MRI was used to evaluate the ligament healing.
RESULTS:
All patients were followed up 8-15 months (mean, 12.6 months). After operation, 1 patient suffered from superficial peroneal nerve injury, 1 patient developed anterior scar impingement on the ankle, 2 patients had superficial wound infection, and 1 patient suffered from sprain again. The VAS score, Tenger score, AOFAS score, KAFS score, and FAOS score significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores ( P<0.05). MRI examination showed the ligament healing and good tension.
CONCLUSION
For adolescent patients with chronic lateral ankle instability, using simplified all-arthroscopic Broström technique to repair ATFL can effectively alleviate ankle pain, improve stability, and achieve good effectiveness.
Humans
;
Joint Instability/surgery*
;
Male
;
Adolescent
;
Female
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Ankle Joint/physiopathology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Ankle Injuries/surgery*
;
Lateral Ligament, Ankle/injuries*
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Chronic Disease
;
Range of Motion, Articular
7.Clinical study on treatment of complete radial tear of meniscus using arthroscopic All-inside single needle vertical suture technique.
Xinduo TIAN ; Yi MIAO ; Xin LIU ; Wei WANG ; Na LIU ; Xuesong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(5):550-555
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic All-inside single needle vertical suture technique in treatment of complete radial tear of the meniscus.
METHODS:
Between January 2019 and January 2022, 18 patients (18 knees) with complete radial tear of the meniscus were treated by using arthroscopic All-inside single needle vertical suture technique. Among them, there were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 37.1 years (range, 16-50 years). The causes of radial meniscus tears included the sports injuries in 11 cases, sprains/falls in 4 cases, and traffic accident injuries in 3 cases. The interval between injury and operation was 3-25 days (mean, 11.7 days). All patients had knee joint pain. Knee joint tenderness and McMurray sign were both positive. MRI showed the 15 cases of lateral meniscus tear and 3 cases of medial meniscus tear; 15 cases of anterior cruciate ligament injury, 1 case of posterior cruciate ligament injury, and 15 cases of tibial plateau bone contusion. Six patients underwent isolated meniscus repair and 12 patients with cruciate ligament rupture underwent meniscus repair and simultaneous cruciate ligament reconstruction. The operation time and incidence of postoperative complications were recorded. At last follow-up, the meniscus healing was evaluated according to Barrett's criteria and knee joint MRI, respectively. Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were used to evaluate the functional recovery of the knee joint.
RESULTS:
The operation time was 19-28 minutes (mean, 23.3 minutes) in 6 patients with isolated meniscus repair and 38-52 minutes (mean, 45.8 minutes) in 12 patients with meniscus repair and simultaneous cruciate ligament reconstruction. All incisions healed by first intention. After operation, 1 patient developed the deep vein thrombosis of lower limb, the other patients had no complication. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 15.2 months). At last follow-up, 16 cases of meniscus reached clinical healing according to Barrett's criteria, with a healing rate of 88.9%. MRI re-examination of the knee joint showed that 5 cases had complete healing of the meniscus, 11 cases had partial healing, and 2 cases did not heal. The total healing rate (complete healing and partial healing) was 88.9%. After operation, the Lysholm score and IKDC score of 18 patients increased compared to preoperative scores, and further improved with time. The differences between different time points were significant ( P<0.05). Six patients with isolated meniscus repair had the same changes in the above scores, and the differences between the different time points were significant ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The arthroscopic All-inside single needle vertical suture technique can achieve good short-term effectiveness in the treatment of complete radial tears of the meniscus.
Humans
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adolescent
;
Young Adult
;
Suture Techniques
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery*
;
Menisci, Tibial/surgery*
;
Knee Joint/surgery*
8.Comparative study of posterior axillary edge approach and arthroscopic assisted reduction in treatment of Ideberg type Ⅰ and Ⅱglenoid fracture of the scapula.
Bing LI ; Yanhong YUAN ; Peng XU ; Yabing YUAN ; Yuchen WANG ; Xingzhou ZHANG ; Zhangning HE
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(5):556-562
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the effectiveness of posterior axillary edge approach and arthroscopic assisted reduction in the treatment of Ideberg type Ⅰ and Ⅱ glenoid fracture of the scapula.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 26 patients with fresh Ideberg type Ⅰ and Ⅱ scapular fractures admitted between June 2021 and September 2024 who met the selection criteria were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups according to different treatment methods. Ten cases in the posterior axillary edge group were fixed by open reduction plate through the posterior axillary edge approach, and 16 cases in the arthroscopy group were treated with suture anchor fixation under arthroscopy. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05), such as gender, age, surgical side, Ideberg type, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, rotator cuff injury, and superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) injury, etc. The operation time and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups, and the shoulder pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after operation. At 3 and 6 months after operation, the range of motion of shoulder joint in anteflexion, abduction, external rotation, internal rotation, and backward extension was evaluated, the upper limb dysfunction was evaluated by the Disability Assessment Scale of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and the shoulder joint function was evaluated by the Constant-Murley score. The differences between 6 months and 3 months after operation (changes) were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS:
Patients in both groups were followed up 11-13 months, with an average of 12.5 months. The operation time and fracture healing time in the posterior axillary edge group were significantly shorter than those in the arthroscopy group ( P<0.05). There was no complication such as wound infection, vascular and nerve injury, loss of reduction, bone nonunion, or glenohumeral instability in both groups. At 1 week after operation, the VAS score in the posterior axillary edge group was significantly higher than that in the arthroscopy group ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the VAS score between the two groups at 1 and 3 months after operation ( P>0.05). At 6 months after operation, the changes of shoulder joint in anteflexion, internal rotation range of motion and DASH scores in the posterior axillary edge group were significantly lower than those in the arthroscopy group ( P<0.05), while the changes of abduction, external rotation, backward extension range of motion and Constant-Murley scores were not significantly different between the two groups ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
For Ideberg type Ⅰ and Ⅱ glenoid fracture of the scapula, the posterior axillary edge approach for internal fixation has a short operation time, fast fracture healing, and is beneficial for early functional recovery; arthroscopic assisted reduction has minimal trauma and can handle joint injuries simultaneously. Both surgical procedures are safe and effective, and individualized selection should be made based on soft tissue conditions and combined injuries.
Humans
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Scapula/surgery*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adult
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
;
Fractures, Bone/surgery*
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Bone Plates
;
Suture Anchors
;
Fracture Healing
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Young Adult
;
Shoulder Joint/surgery*
;
Operative Time
9.Effectiveness of arthroscopic release assisted with medial small incision in treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness.
Lijun LÜ ; Yanyan CHANG ; Baojun ZHOU ; Qiuming GAO ; Jieliang HU ; Liyuan CHEN ; Kongxing WEI ; Fujun GAO ; Wentao LI ; Xin YUAN ; Yibin JIN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(5):563-568
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness.
METHODS:
The clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score.
RESULTS:
The operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Elbow Joint/physiopathology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Ulnar Nerve/surgery*
;
Operative Time
10.Early effectiveness of arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge technique in repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears.
Peiguan HUANG ; Xiaoxu WANG ; Bei WANG ; Guanghua TAN ; Liang HONG ; Fang WANG ; Zhi ZENG ; Saiyun LEI ; Mingjun QIU ; Huyong YAN ; Chunrong HE
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(6):708-714
OBJECTIVE:
To describe a novel arthroscopic technique of modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge in repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears and evaluate the early effectiveness.
METHODS:
Between June 2021 and January 2024, 26 patients with medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears who underwent arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge repair and met the selective criteria were included. There were 11 males and 15 females with an average age of 61.4 years (range, 43-74 years). Five patients had a significant history of trauma, while the remaining 21 patients had no apparent cause. The time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 3-25 months (mean, 7.9 months). The effectiveness was evaluated during follow-up, including the scores of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and patient's satisfaction. Either MRI or ultrasound examination were used to evaluate structural integrity of the tendon.
RESULTS:
The operation time was 65-110 minutes (mean, 81.8 minutes). All patients were followed up 12-43 months (mean, 23.0 months). At 3 and 12 months after operation, the shoulder range of flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation, and the scores of VAS, UCLA, and ASES significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The improvement was further observed at 12 months compared to 3 months ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, 13 patients were very satisfied with the effectiveness, 11 patients were satisfied, 1 was relatively satisfied, and 1 was dissatisfied. During follow-up, 15 patients underwent imaging examination and imaging reexamination showed that the re-tear rate of tendon was 6.6%(1/15). The remaining 11 patients refused imaging examination. Complications included partial anchor withdrawal in 1 case, shoulder stiffness in 5 cases, and mild pain in shoulder joint in 2 cases in physical activity or heavy physical activity.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic modified tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge technique is a novel surgical technique that uses double-loaded suture anchors as medial- and lateral-row anchors. In repairing medium-sized supraspinatus tendon tears, 6 sets of double-pulley suture-bridges can be created from one medial-row anchor; knotless medial-row can reduce re-tear rate of the tendon; good early effectiveness is obtained.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthroscopy/methods*
;
Adult
;
Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery*
;
Aged
;
Suture Techniques
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Suture Anchors
;
Rotator Cuff/surgery*
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Tendon Injuries/surgery*
;
Patient Satisfaction

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