MedPath

Evaluation of Functional and Biomechanical Outcome by Shear-wave Elastography in the Short to Intermediate Follow-up After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Recruiting
Conditions
Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair (ARCR)
Registration Number
NCT05691374
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Brief Summary

This exploratory project will evaluate the biomechanical and functional intermediate-term outcome (2 to 5 years) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with modern non-invasive ultrasound techniques (especially shear wave elastography (SWE)), standardized physical examinations and patient-reported outcomes. It is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff, as well as the biceps muscle after ARCR and to compare elasticity and structural properties to the healthy contralateral side.

Detailed Description

Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears is commonly performed. However, recurrent tears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) remain a significant clinical problem, especially in cases with large tears. Depending on literature, reported retear rates can range between 13% to 69%. Most likely, these tears reflect mechanical failure of the repair construct.

Ultrasound elastography is a recent technology and especially shear wave elastography (SWE) has experienced major developments in the past years. SWE offers an ultrasound based non-invasive quantitative tissue elasticity measurement by evaluating shear wave propagation speed which reflects the biomechanical properties of soft tissue. With this technique, the deltoid and trapezius muscle, several sections of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons as well as the proximal part of the long head of the biceps muscle can be evaluated. Results of the patient-reported outcomes and the physical examinations of the intermediate follow-up (2-5 years) will be compared with the data of the preoperative function.

It is a retrospective observational cohort study with additional prospective clinical data collection in terms of a physical examination and ultrasound examination.

There is no additional invasive procedure for this study.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
75
Inclusion Criteria
  • year of surgery between 2015 and 2020

  • ARCR surgery in cases of:

    • Partial or complete supraspinatus (SSP) tear
    • Partial or complete supraspinatus (ISP) tear
    • Partial or complete subscapularis (SSC) tear
    • Combined SSP, ISP and SSC tear
  • with or without biceps tenodesis during same procedure

  • able to understand the content of the patient information / consent form and give consent to take part in the study

Exclusion Criteria
  • revision surgery (prior repair of the rotator cuff in the same shoulder)
  • postoperative infections
  • patients with a language barrier hindering questionnaire completion (either in German, French, Italian or English)
  • legal incompetence
  • not eligible for Ultrasound (BMI >35, persistent frozen shoulder)
  • Prior surgery or injury of the contralateral shoulder

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Shear wave propagation velocity in kPaone time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Elasticity of tendon and muscle (shear wave propagation velocity in kPa)

Tendon integrityone time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Ultrasound of the repaired rotator cuff and biceps tendon (SSP, ISP, SSC, TM, long head of biceps)

Fatty infiltration (SSP, ISP, SSC, TM)one time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Fatty infiltration of the repaired rotator cuff (SSP, ISP, SSC, TM) by ultrasound

Status of implants e.g. anchorsone time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Status of implants e.g. anchors by ultrasound

Diameter/Thickness of rotator cuff tendons (ISP, SSP, SSC, TM)one time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Diameter/Thickness of rotator cuff tendons (ISP, SSP, SSC, TM) by ultrasound

Suture cut-through (yes/no)one time assessment (at least 2 years postoperatively)

Suture cut-through (yes/no) by ultrasound

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Constant Murley Score (CMS)pre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

The Constant-Murley score (CMS) is a 100-points scale composed of a number of individual parameters. These parameters define the level of pain and the ability to carry out the normal daily activities of the patient after the treatment of a shoulder injury. The test is divided into four subscales: pain (15 points), activities of daily living (20 points), strength (25 points) and range of motion: forward elevation, external rotation, abduction and internal rotation of the shoulder (40 points). The higher the score, the higher the quality of the function.

Change in Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)pre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

The SSV score is defined as the subjective evaluation by the patient of shoulder function, expressed as a percentage of a normal shoulder. This score ranges from 0 to 100%.

Change in Quality of life assessed by EQ-5D-5- questionnairepre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

The EQ-5D-5L is a self-assessed, health related, quality of life questionnaire. The scale measures quality of life on a 5-component scale including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.The scale is numbered from 0 to 100. 100 means the best health you can imagine. 0 means the worst health you can imagine.

Change in shoulder strength (kg) in 90° of abduction measured by handheld dynamometerpre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

Change in shoulder strength (kg) in 90° of abduction measured by handheld dynamometer

Change in Patient-reported shoulder pain (NRS)pre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

In a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), patients are asked to circle the number between 0 and 10, 0 and 20 or 0 and 100 that fits best to their pain intensity. Zero usually represents 'no pain at all' whereas the upper limit represents 'the worst pain ever possible'.

Change in Patient-reported shoulder function (ASES)pre- operative, short-term (6 months postoperatively), and intermediate-term (at least 2 years) follow-up

The ASES is a 100-point scale that consists of two dimensions: pain and activities of daily living. There is one pain scale worth 50 points and ten activities of daily living worth 50 points. The pain score is calculated by subtracting the visual analogue scale (VAS) from 10 and multiplying it by 5. The 10 functional questions are scored on a 4-point scale (0-3) with a maximum functional score of 30.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Basel, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery

🇨🇭

Basel, Switzerland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath