Pressure and Contact Area in Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review^[*]

Abstract

Objective To provide a comprehensive synopsis and analysis of biomechanical studies on the magnitude and distribution of pressure at the tendon-footprint interface of rotator cuff tears reported in the literature in the last five years.

Methods The research was performed according to the methods described in the Cochrane Manual. The results are reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) consensus. The search was performed on June 1^st, 2020. We identified and included ex vivo basic science studies and published biomechanical studies that evaluated the magnitude and distribution of pressure at the tendon-footprint interface of rotator cuff tears repaired between January 2015 and June 2020. Systematic searches on the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were performed using the terms and Boolean operators: (Rotator Cuff OR Supraspinatus OR Infraspinatus OR Subscapularis OR Teres Minor) AND Pressure AND Footprint. In the Embase database, respecting its syntax, the following was used: Rotator Cuff AND Pressure AND Footprint.

Results In total, 15 of the 87 articles found fulfilled all the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis.

Conclusion The pressure and contact area would be biomechanically optimized with an equivalent transosseous double-row repair, without knots in the medial row, and with the use of tapes for its execution, specific repair concepts for delaminated tears, and a limitation of abduction in the immediate postoperative period.

Keywords

rotator cuff - pressure - suture - suture techniques - tendon injuries - tendons

^* Research conducted at Instituto Traumatológico, Santiago, Chile.

Publication History

Received: 28 June 2020

Accepted: 06 August 2021

Article published online:
22 December 2021

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