Superior Capsular Reconstruction Using Acellular Dermal Allograft Combined With Remaining Rotator Cuff Augmentation Improved Shoulder Pain and Function at 1 Year After The Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report structural integrity and clinical outcomes of superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) using a 4- to 5-mm acellular dermal allograft combined with augmentation of the remaining rotator cuff to the graft.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 21 patients with symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tear who required SCR. At least 6 months after the SCR, we evaluated each patient's graft healing by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also assessed the range of motion (ROM), strength for forward flexion and external rotation, visual analog scale for pain (PVAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and Constant score. At minimum of 1 year after the surgery, we evaluated the number of patients with minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for each score to compare patients with healed and unhealed grafts.

Results: Postoperative MRI showed the grafts intact in 14 patients (66.7%). Among 7 patients with unhealed grafts, tears were observed in 3 patients (42.9%) on the glenoid side, 3 (42.9%) on the humeral side, and 1 (14.3%) on both sides. PVAS, ASES score, and the Constant score improved after surgery (4.0 to 0.7 for PVAS [P < .001], 55.5 to 87.0 for ASES score [P < .001], and 56.0 to 65.9 for Constant score [P = .007]). However, there were no differences in postoperative ROM and muscle strength compared to preoperative measurements. MCIDs were reached in 90.5% of patients (n = 19) for the PVAS and in 71.4% of patients (n = 15) for the ASES score. Only 33.3% of patients (n = 7) obtained MCIDs for the Constant score, and none of the patients with a graft tear obtained MCIDs in the Constant score (P = .047).

Conclusion: The graft complete healing rate was 66.7%, although pain relief and functional improvement were satisfactory regardless of graft structural integrity. However, muscle strength recovery was not optimal until 1 year after surgery.

Level of evidence: Level IV; case series.