Aims. Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is the leading cause of shoulder pain, primarily associated with age-related tendon degeneration. This study aimed to elucidate the potential differential gene expressions in tendons across different age groups, and to investigate their roles in tendon degeneration. Methods. Linear regression and differential expression (DE) analyses were performed on two transcriptome profiling datasets of torn supraspinatus tendons to identify age-related genes. Subsequent functional analyses were conducted on these candidate genes to explore their potential roles in tendon ageing. Additionally, a secondary DE analysis was performed on candidate genes by comparing their expressions between lesioned and normal tendons to explore their correlations with RCTs. Results. We identified 49 genes in torn supraspinatus tendons associated with advancing age. Among them, five age-related genes showed DE in lesioned tendons compared to normal tendons. Functional analyses and previous studies have highlighted their specific enrichments in biological
Aims. Rotator cuff muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration affect the clinical outcomes of rotator cuff tear patients. However, there is no effective treatment for fatty infiltration at this time. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) helps to activate beige adipose tissue. The goal of this study was to test the role of HIIT in improving muscle quality in a rotator cuff tear model via the β3 adrenergic receptor (β3AR). Methods. Three-month-old C57BL/6 J mice underwent a unilateral rotator cuff injury procedure. Mice were forced to run on a treadmill with the HIIT programme during the first to sixth weeks or seventh to 12th weeks after tendon tear surgery. To study the role of β3AR, SR59230A, a selective β3AR antagonist, was administered to mice ten minutes before each exercise through intraperitoneal injection. Supraspinatus muscle, interscapular brown fat, and inguinal subcutaneous white fat were harvested at the end of the 12th week after tendon tear and analyzed biomechanically, histologically, and biochemically. Results. Histological analysis of supraspinatus muscle showed that HIIT improved muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and contractile force compared to the no exercise group. In the HIIT groups, supraspinatus muscle, interscapular brown fat, and inguinal subcutaneous white fat showed increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and uncoupling protein 1, and upregulated the β3AR thermogenesis pathway. However, the effect of HIIT was not present in mice injected with SR59230A, suggesting that HIIT affected muscles via β3AR. Conclusion. HIIT improved supraspinatus muscle quality and
Rotator cuff (RC) injuries are characterized by tendon rupture, muscle atrophy, retraction, and fatty infiltration, which increase injury severity and jeopardize adequate tendon repair. Epigenetic drugs, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), possess the capacity to redefine the molecular signature of cells, and they may have the potential to inhibit the transformation of the fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) within the skeletal muscle into adipocyte-like cells, concurrently enhancing the myogenic potential of the satellite cells. HDACis were added to FAPs and satellite cell cultures isolated from mice. The HDACi vorinostat was additionally administered into a RC injury animal model. Histological analysis was carried out on the isolated supra- and infraspinatus muscles to assess vorinostat anti-muscle degeneration potential.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to define the histopathology of degenerated humeral head cartilage and synovial inflammation of the glenohumeral joint in patients with omarthrosis (OmA) and cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). Additionally, the potential of immunohistochemical tissue biomarkers in reflecting the degeneration status of humeral head cartilage was evaluated. Specimens of the humeral head and synovial tissue from 12 patients with OmA, seven patients with CTA, and four body donors were processed histologically for examination using different histopathological scores. Osteochondral sections were immunohistochemically stained for collagen type I, collagen type II, collagen neoepitope C1,2C, collagen type X, and osteocalcin, prior to semiquantitative analysis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 levels were analyzed in synovial fluid using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Aims
Methods
The optimal choice of management for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) has been increasingly discussed in the literature, and this work aimed to answer the following questions: 1) what are the incidence rates of PHF in the geriatric population in the USA; 2) what is the mortality rate after PHF in the elderly population, specifically for distinct treatment procedures; and 3) what factors influence the mortality rate? PHFs occurring between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019 were identified from the Medicare physician service records. Incidence rates were determined, mortality rates were calculated, and semiparametric Cox regression was applied, incorporating 23 demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic covariates, to compare the mortality risk between treatments.Aims
Methods
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
To evaluate if union of clavicle fractures can be predicted at six weeks post-injury by the presence of bridging callus on ultrasound. Adult patients managed nonoperatively with a displaced mid-shaft clavicle were recruited prospectively. Ultrasound evaluation of the fracture was undertaken to determine if sonographic bridging callus was present. Clinical risk factors at six weeks were used to stratify patients at high risk of nonunion with a combination of Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) ≥ 40, fracture movement on examination, or absence of callus on radiograph.Aims
Methods
Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any significant
difference in temporal measurements of pain,
Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography is an emerging technique that can provide detailed anatomical information during surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ICG fluorescence angiography can be used to evaluate the blood flow of the rotator cuff tendon in the clinical setting. Twenty-six patients were evaluated from October 2016 to December 2017. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their diagnoses: the rotator cuff tear group; normal rotator cuff group; and adhesive capsulitis group. After establishing a posterior standard viewing portal, intravenous administration of ICG at 0.2 mg/kg body weight was performed, and fluorescence images were recorded. The time from injection of the drug to the beginning of enhancement of the observed area was measured. The hypovascular area in the rotator cuff was evaluated, and the ratio of the hypovascular area to the anterolateral area of the rotator cuff tendon was calculated (hypovascular area ratio).Objectives
Methods
Traumatic brachial plexus injury causes severe functional impairment
of the arm. Elbow flexion is often affected. Nerve surgery or tendon
transfers provide the only means to obtain improved elbow flexion.
Unfortunately, the functionality of the arm often remains insufficient.
Stem cell therapy could potentially improve muscle strength and
avoid muscle-tendon transfer. This pilot study assesses the safety
and regenerative potential of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear
cell injection in partially denervated biceps. Nine brachial plexus patients with insufficient elbow flexion
(i.e., partial denervation) received intramuscular escalating doses
of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells, combined with
tendon transfers. Effect parameters included biceps biopsies, motor
unit analysis on needle electromyography and computerised muscle tomography,
before and after cell therapy.Objectives
Methods
We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine
whether earlier surgical repair of acute rotator cuff tear (ARCT)
leads to superior post-operative clinical outcomes. The MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Libraries,
controlled-trials.com and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched
using the terms: ‘rotator cuff’, or ‘supraspinatus’, or ‘infraspinatus’,
or ‘teres minor’, or ‘subscapularis’ AND ‘surgery’ or ‘repair’.
This gave a total of 15 833 articles. After deletion of duplicates
and the review of abstracts and full texts by two independent assessors,
15 studies reporting time to surgery for ARCT repair were included.
Studies were grouped based on time to surgery <
3 months (group
A, seven studies), or >
3 months (group B, eight studies). Weighted
means were calculated and compared using Student’s Aims
Methods
To report the five-year results of a randomised controlled trial
examining the effectiveness of arthroscopic acromioplasty in the
treatment of stage II shoulder impingement syndrome. A total of 140 patients were randomly divided into two groups:
1) supervised exercise programme (n = 70, exercise group); and 2)
arthroscopic acromioplasty followed by a similar exercise programme
(n = 70, combined treatment group).Objectives
Methods
Cadaveric models of the shoulder evaluate discrete motion segments
using the glenohumeral joint in isolation over a defined trajectory.
The aim of this study was to design, manufacture and validate a
robotic system to accurately create three-dimensional movement of
the upper body and capture it using high-speed motion cameras. In particular, we intended to use the robotic system to simulate
the normal throwing motion in an intact cadaver. The robotic system
consists of a lower frame (to move the torso) and an upper frame
(to move an arm) using seven actuators. The actuators accurately
reproduced planned trajectories. The marker setup used for motion
capture was able to determine the six degrees of freedom of all
involved joints during the planned motion of the end effector.Objectives
Methods
