Researchers at SPRI (VAIL, CO) Complete Study into the Best Treatment for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Feb. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- VAIL, CO. (Feb. 24, 2012) — The Steadman Philippon Research Institute, a world leader in orthopedic and sports medicine research and education, has recently completed its study regarding the best Treatment for massive rotator cuff tears and injuries. The study concluded that double-row and augmented double-row surgical procedures yield stronger, longer lasting outcomes than traditional single row approaches. The results were presented in San Francisco at the annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society (AAOS).

According to The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (http://sprivail.org), a rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain, discomfort and weakness. A massive rotator cuff tear is defined as a tear greater than 5 cm in length or those that involve two or more rotator cuff tendons. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reveal that more than 2 million people in the U.S. go to their primary care physician and specialty clinics because of a rotator cuff problem. Many of these individuals are athletes. Between 9% and 25% of these injuries are usually treated arthroscopically.  Historically, it has been debated in the medical community as to what procedure is the best treatment for massive rotator cuff tears.

During the study twenty specimens with massive rotator cuff tears were placed into one of four groups. Each individual had been treated using one of the following three approaches: a single-row rotator cuff repair, a double-row repair, and an augmented double-row repair which uses collagen bio-implants (patch) to help provide the healing tissue a secure scaffold to grow into. The fourth group consisted of examining the intact, or non-injured, condition.

The research study, which was performed in the new biomechanical testing laboratory on the Steadman Philippon Research Institute campus in Vail, Colorado, allowed scientists the opportunity to test each massive rotator cuff tear repair using innovative biomechanical science technology that applies pressure, motion, and force on each specimen to see which technique was strongest and had the greatest long-term success.  

During this state-of-the-art testing, SPRI scientists were also able to develop a new testing protocol that simulates a typical rehabilitation regimen following massive rotator cuff tears.    

According to Coen Wijdicks, Ph.D., Director of the Biomechanics Research Department for SPRI, “The research study and its results sheds light on several theories surrounding the best treatment for massive rotator cuff tears. What we found is that for massive rotator cuff tears where the double-row and the augmented double-row techniques were used, repairs endured significantly more cycles to failure and had higher maximum load ranges than the single row repairs and were actually as strong as healthy intact rotator cuffs. Because the biomechanical tests were performed in real-time, we were able to visibly see how well each surgical technique performed during our testing procedure.”

Dr. Peter Millett (http://drmillett.com), Director of Shoulder Surgery at The Steadman Clinic and a pioneer in the development of these ground-breaking rotator cuff procedures, adds, “The study offers hope for patients who suffer from massive rotator cuff injuries and will allow orthopedic surgeons better insight and more precise surgical techniques to treat these injuries. This new information from our research efforts, will ultimately translate to better outcomes for the patient." Dr. Millett also served as the primary investigator for this exciting new study.

It was also determined during the study that augmentation with a collagen patch did not have any adverse biomechanical effects on the strength of the repair; this had remained a concern among orthopedic surgeons prior to the study. More information about this study can be found at www.sprivail.org.


About The Steadman Philippon Research Institute
The Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) is dedicated to keeping people of all ages physically active through orthopaedic research and education in arthritis, healing, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Founded in 1988 by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman as the Steadman Sports Medicine Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable organization has influenced the practice of orthopedics throughout the world. Based in Vail, Colorado, it has become one of the most published organizations in sports medicine research and education.

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The Steadman Philippon Research Institute is a nonprofit organization in Vail, CO seeking to keep people physically active late into life through pioneering orthopedic research and education into the cause, prevention, treatment of orthopedic disorders.