Rotator cuff (RC) tears are common musculoskeletal injuries which often require surgical intervention. Noninvasive pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices have been approved for treatment of long-bone fracture nonunions and as an adjunct to lumbar and cervical spine fusion surgery. This study aimed to assess the effect of continuous PEMF on postoperative RC healing in a rat RC repair model. A total of 30 Wistar rats underwent acute bilateral supraspinatus tear and repair. A miniaturized electromagnetic device (MED) was implanted at the right shoulder and generated focused PEMF therapy. The animals’ left shoulders served as controls. Biomechanical, histological, and bone properties were assessed at three and six weeks.Aims
Methods
Rotator cuff tears are common injuries which often require surgical repair. Unfortunately, repairs often fail [1] and improved repair strength is essential. P2 Porous titanium (DJO Surgical, Austin TX) has been shown to promote osseointegration [2,3] and subdermal integration [4]. However, the ability of P2Porous titanium to aid in supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repair has not been evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate P2 implants used to augment supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repair in a rat model [5]. We hypothesized that supraspinatus tendon-to-bone repairs with P2 implants would allow for ingrowth and increased repair strength when compared to standard repair alone. Thirty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used (IACUC approved). Rats received bilateral supraspinatus detachment and repair with one limb receiving P2 implant. Animals were sacrificed at time 0 (n=3), 2 weeks (n=8), 4 weeks (n=9) and 12 weeks (n=14). Limbs were either dissected for histological and SEM analysis or mechanical testing as described previously [5]. Specimens for histology and SEM were embedded in PMMA for tissue-implant interface analysis. Specimens were first viewed in SEM under BSE to detect bony ingrowth, then stained with Sanderson's Rapid Bone Stain and viewed under transmitted and polarized light for tissue ingrowth. Comparisons were made using Student's t-tests with significance at p≤0.05.INTRODUCTION
METHODS
The assessment of the arthroscopic findings in patients suffering from impingement syndrome and partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon, staged as type 1&
2 under Ellman, Gartsman, Snyder, that were treated by acromioplasty, debridment and repair of the supraspinatus tear. Thirty four patients,(20 male, 14 female), with a median age of 52 years, (48–64 years old), underwent shoulder joint arthroscopy. All were evaluated by two physicians and subjected to plain films (AP&
Y views) as well as to MRI. Clinically, the differencies in the evaluation of patients with type 1&
2a lesion were insignificant. Type 2b had a better outcome, but in comparison to type 1, that were subjected only to acromioplasty, variations involving range of motion, pain and scoring (Constant &
Oxford scores), were observed, from the first stages of rehabilitation, with no further improvement. The comparative method in relation to the clinical trials was in favor of those patients treated with repair of the tear. After a 29 m follow up, we suggest only acromioplasty, in stages 1&
2a, although the daily activities of each patient can change the approach. In type 2b lesions, irrespective of age, we suggest the repair of the tear
