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Background: Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) has been proposed to augment healing at the time of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) by creating several bone marrow vents in the footprint of the rotator cuff, allowing mesenchymal stem cells, platelets, and growth factors to cover the area as a "crimson duvet.", Purpose: To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the outcomes after BMS and a control for those undergoing ARCR., Study Design: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 1., Methods: A literature search of 3 databases was performed based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. RCTs comparing BMS and a control for ARCR were included. Clinical outcomes were compared, and a P value <.05 was considered to be statistically significant., Results: A total of 7 RCTs with 576 patients were included. Overall, 18.8% of patients treated with BMS and 21.0% of patients treated with a control had a retear ( I 2 = 43%; P = .61). With BMS, the mean Constant score was 88.2, and with the control, the mean Constant score was 86.7 ( P = .12). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (94.3 vs 93.2, respectively; P = .31) or visual analog scale score (0.9 vs 0.9, respectively; P = .89)., Conclusion: The level 1 evidence in the literature did not support BMS as a modality to improve retear rates or clinical outcomes after ARCR., Competing Interests: One or more of the authors has declared the following potential conflict of interest or source of funding: R.M.D. has received support for education from SouthTech Orthopedics. L.M.J. has received support for education from Suvon Surgical, Gotham Surgical, and Arthrex and consulting fees from Flexion Therapeutics. R.M. has received consulting fees from Arthrex and compensation for services other than consulting from Empire Medical. J.F.D. has received support for education from SouthTech Orthopedics and Supreme Orthopedic Systems and compensation for services other than consulting from Arthrex. O.A. has received consulting fees from Exactech, Smith & Nephew, Medical Device Business Services, Bioventus, Lima, Responsive Arthroscopy, Encore Medical, and Stryker; support for education from Arthrex and SouthTech Orthopedics; and travel expenses from Wright Medical and Zimmer Biomet. C.K. has received consulting fees from Acumed, restor3d, and Smith & Nephew and holds stock or stock options in GE HealthCare, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Pfizer. AOSSM checks author disclosures against the Open Payments Database (OPD). AOSSM has not conducted an independent investigation on the OPD and disclaims any liability or responsibility relating thereto.

Purpose: To perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with and without acellular collagen matrix patch (ACMP) augmentation., Methods: A literature search of 3 databases was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RCTs comparing ACMP augmentation and a control for ARCR were included. Clinical outcomes were compared using Revman, and a P value < .05 was considered to be statistically significant., Results: Five RCTs with 307 patients were included. Overall, 11% of patients treated with ACMP augmentation and 34% of patients in the control group had a re-tear (P = .0006). The mean Constant score was 90.1 with ACMP augmentation, and 87.3 in controls (P = .02). Additionally, there was a significant higher American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score with ACMP augmentation (87.7 vs 82.1, P = .01)., Conclusions: The RCTs in the literature support the use of ACMP augment as a modality to reduce re-tear rates and improve outcomes after ARCR., Level of Evidence: Level II, Meta-Analysis of Level II Studies meta-analysis of Level II studies., (Copyright © 2023 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

There are several emerging treatments for patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Biologic tuberoplasty is still in its infancy but holds promise for improving pain and function by biologically covering a bare tuberosity with a dermal allograft to prevent bone-to-bone contact between the tuberosity and the undersurface of the acromion. Balloon arthroplasty is a technique of widespread interest, with the device recently gaining FDA approval. Anterior cable reconstruction uses the autologous long head of the biceps tendon to reconstruct the anterior cable of the rotator cuff. Tendon transfers, specifically lower trapezius tendon transfer, have now been established as a viable option especially in patients who want to regain active external rotation.

Objective: Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) is a treatment option for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT). The purpose of this study is to describe a classification system for graft integrity and tear location., Methods: Patients who underwent SCR at a single institution were included. Pre-operative age, gender, prior surgery, Hamada grade, and Goutallier stage were recorded. An MRI was performed postoperatively to assess graft integrity and tear location., Results: 53 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 60.1 ± 7.9 years. A post-operative MRI was performed in 42 (80%) patients at a mean of 14 ± 7 months (range, 6-40 months). MRIs demonstrated an intact graft in 16 (38%) shoulders. Of the 26 graft tears, 14 (54%) were from the glenoid, 5 (19%) mid-substance, 6 (23%) from the tuberosity, and 1 (3.8%) had complete graft absence., Conclusion: Graft tears are common following SCR. We describe four different graft tear locations and submit a classification system that can be used in future studies to better compare outcomes based on graft integrity and tear location. Clinical correlation with graft integrity and graft tear location needs to be further investigated., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: The purpose of our study was to compare the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) between radiographic and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the same shoulder with massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs)., Methods: Thirty-four shoulders with MRCTs that had an MRI and radiograph of the same shoulder within an average of 40.3 days (range: 8-109 days) were identified. AHD was measured digitally on radiograph and MRI by 3 examiners. Shoulders were grouped into Hamada grades <3 (group 1) and Hamada grades ≥3 (group 2)., Results: The mean age was 66.4 years (range: 51-89). There were 19 men (59%). The Kappa for inter-rater reliability was 0.982 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.975, 0.988) for radiographs and 0.88 (95% CI 0.75, 0.94) for MRI. There was a significant difference in the mean AHD of group 1 on radiograph vs. MRI (7.9 mm vs. 2.5 mm, respectively; P < .0001), but no difference in group 2 (1.8 mm vs. 2.2 mm, respectively; P = .45). There was no difference in AHD in group 1 between shoulders with Goutallier stage <3 (8.1 ± 1.9 mm) and those with Goutallier stage ≥3 (7.3 ± 2.1 mm) (P = .3479). There was no difference in AHD in group 2 between shoulders with Goutallier stage <3 (3.0 ± 0.1 mm) and those with Goutallier stage ≥3 (1.5 ± 1.0 mm) (P = .079)., Conclusion: There is a significant difference in AHD measurements between radiograph and MRI of the same shoulder with MRCT in early Hamada grades. AHDs measured on radiograph and MRI should not be used interchangeably in early Hamada grades to assess outcomes of superior capsule reconstruction and similar procedures., (Copyright © 2019 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the influence of corticosteroid injections (CSIs) before or after primary rotator cuff repair (RCR) on the risk of (1) revision RCR, (2) retears, and (3) infections., Methods: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases were queried in accordance with the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data pertaining to the use of CSIs before or after primary RCR and adverse events were extracted. A subjective synthesis of these outcomes and bias was performed., Results: A total of 10 studies including 240,976 patients were identified; 20.0% received a perioperative CSI. Of the 48,235 patients who received a CSI, 66.2% did so preoperatively whereas 33.8% did so postoperatively. A total of 78 patients received both preoperative and postoperative CSIs. Three studies examined the influence of preoperative CSIs on revision RCR; the incidence ranged from 3.8% to 10.5% with preoperative CSIs and from 3.2% to 3.4% for controls. Two of these studies analyzed outcomes of patients from the same databases over the same period. Five studies examined the influence of postoperative CSI use on retears; the incidence ranged from 5.7% to 19.0% in patients who received postoperative CSIs and from 10.0% to 18.4% for controls. Three studies examined the influence of CSI use on infection; 2 studies examined the risk of infection after postoperative CSI use, which ranged from 0.0% to 6.7% with CSIs and from 0.0% to 0.5% for controls., Conclusions: The use of preoperative CSIs could be associated with an increased risk of revision RCR. There were no conclusive data to suggest an increased risk of retear or infection with CSI use based on a subjective synthesis of ranges. There is currently poor-quality literature surrounding this topic. Given that the current literature is limited and heterogeneous, no definitive recommendations can be made on perioperative CSI use for RCR., Level of Evidence: Level III, systematic review of Level I and III studies., (Copyright © 2020 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The structural integrity of rotator cuff repair (RCR) has been a primary focus for shoulder surgeons seeking long-term clinical and functional success. Improvements in surgical techniques have allowed for superior initial biomechanical fixation. However, tendon healing remains a significant clinical problem even after rigid time-zero repair. The lack of long-term healing has led to increased interest in biologic augmentation to improve tendon-to-bone healing. This interest has led to a rise in the investigation of small molecular therapies, cell-based strategies, and tissue-derived treatments offering surgeons a new therapeutic toolbox for potentially improving RCR long-term outcomes. However, the delivery, efficacy, and safety of these treatments remain under investigation. Additional well-designed, high-level studies are of paramount importance in creating evidence-based guidelines for the implementation of new biologic solutions. This review article discusses the current preclinical, translational, and clinical experience with and rationale for biologic augmentation in RCR.

The success of rotator cuff repair (RCR) surgery can be measured clinically (validated outcome scores, range of motion) as well as structurally (re-tear rates using imaging studies). Regardless of repair type or technique, most studies have shown that patients do well clinically. However, multiple studies have also shown that structurally, the failure rate can be very high. A variety of factors, including poor tendon quality, age over 63 years, smoking, advanced fatty infiltration into the muscle, and the inability of the tendon to heal to bone, have been implicated as the cause of the high re-tear rate in RCRs. The suture-tendon interface is felt to be the weakest link in the RCR construct, and suture pullout through the tendon is believed to be the most common method of failure. This review of the published literature seeks to determine if there is support for augmentation of RCR with acellular dermal matrices to strengthen the suture-tendon interface and reduce the re-tear rate.