Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Volume 16, Issue 6 , Pages 691-696 , November 2007

Correlation of atrophy and fatty infiltration on strength and integrity of rotator cuff repairs: A study in thirteen patients

  • Christian Gerber, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist, Zürich, Switzerland
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Christian Gerber, MD, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
    • ,
  • Alberto G. Schneeberger, MD

      Affiliations

    • Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, Zurich, Switzerland
    • ,
  • Hans Hoppeler, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Anatomy, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
    • ,
  • Dominik C. Meyer, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedics, University of Zurich, Balgrist, Zürich, Switzerland

References 

  1. Björkenheim JM. Structure and function of the rabbit’s supraspinatus muscle after resection of its tendon. Acta Othop Scand. 1989;60:461–463
  2. Constant C, Murley A. A clinical method of functional assessment of the shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985;160–164
  3. Eccles JC. Investigations on muscle atrophies arising from disuse and tenotomy. J Physiol. 1943;103:253–266
  4. Elder G, Toner L. Muscle shortening induced by tenotomy does not reduce activity levels in rat soleus. J Physiol. 1998;512:251–265
  5. Engel W, Brooke M, Nelson P. Histochemical studies of denervated or tenotomized cat muscle. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1966;138:161–185
  6. Fabis J, Kordek P, Bogucki A, Synder M, Kolczynska H. Function of the rabbit supraspinatus muscle after detachment of its tendon from the greater tubercle—observations up to 6 month. Acta Orthop Scand. 1998;69:570–574
  7. Fuchs B, Weishaupt D, Zanetti M, Hodler J, Gerber C. Fatty degeneration of the muscles of the rotator cuff: assessment by computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999;8:599–605
  8. Fukunaga T, Roy RR, Shellock FG, Hodgson JA, Day MK, Lee PL, et al. Physiological cross-sectional area of human leg muscles based on magnetic resonance imaging. J Orthop Res. 1992;10:928–934
  9. Galatz LM, Ball CM, Teefey SA, Middleton WD, Yamaguchi K. The outcome and repair integrity of completely arthroscopically repaired large and massive rotator cuff tears. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86:219–224
  10. Gazielly DF, Gleyze P, Montagnon C. Functional and anatomical results after rotator cuff repair. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994;43–53
  11. Gerber C. Latissimus dorsi transfer for the treatment of irreparable tears of the rotator cuff. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992;152–160
  12. Gerber C, Fuchs B, Hodler J. The results of repair of massive tears of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000;82:505–515
  13. Gerber C, Meyer DC, Schneeberger AG, Hoppeler H, von Rechenberg B. Effect of tendon release and delayed repair on the structure of the muscles of the rotator cuff: an experimental study in sheep. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004;86:1973–1982
  14. Gerber C, Schneeberger AG, Beck M, Schlegel U. Mechanical strength of repairs of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1994;76:371–380
  15. Goutallier D, Bernageau J, Patte D. L’evaluation par le scanner de la trophicite des muscles des coiffes des rotateurs ayant une rupture tendineuse. Rev Chir Orthop. 1989;75:126–127
  16. Goutallier D, Postel J, Lavau L, Bernageau J. Influence de la dégénérescence musculaire du supraspinatus et de l’infraspinatus sur le prognostic des réparations chirurgicales de la couffe des rotateurs. Acta Orthop Belg. 1998;64:42–45
  17. Goutallier D, Postel JM, Bernageau J, Lavau L, Voisin MC. Fatty muscle degeneration in cuff ruptures (Pre- and postoperative evaluation by CT scan). Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994;78–83
  18. Goutallier D, Postel JM, Bernageau J, Lavau L, Voisin MC. La dégéneresence graisseuse des muscles des coiffes tendineuses rompues de l’épaule. Rev Rhum Ed Fr. 1995;62:439–446
  19. Goutallier D, Postel JM, Gleyze P, Leguilloux P, Van Driessche S. Influence of cuff muscle fatty degeneration on anatomic and functional outcomes after simple suture of full-thickness tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2003;12:550–554
  20. Harryman DT, Mack LA, Wang KY, Jackins SE, Richardson ML, Matsen FA. Repairs of the rotator cuff (Correlation of functional results with integrity of the cuff). J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1991;73:982–989
  21. Hersche O, Gerber C. Passive tension in the supraspinatus musculotendinous unit after long-standing rupture of its tendon: a preliminary report. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1998;7:393–396
  22. Jost B, Pfirrmann CW, Gerber C. Clinical outcome after structural failure of rotator cuff repairs. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000;82:304–314
  23. Josza L, Kannus P, Thöring J, Reffy A, Järvinen M, Kvist M. The effect of tenotomy and immobilisation on intramuscular connective tissue. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1990;72:293–297
  24. Matsumoto F, Uhthoff HK, Trudel G, Loehr JF. Delayed tendon reattachment does not reverse atrophy and fat accumulation of the supraspinatus—an experimental study in rabbits. J Orthop Res. 2002;20:357–363
  25. McMinn R, Vrbova G. Morphological changes in red and pale muscles following tenotomy. Nature. 1962;195:509
  26. Meyer DC, Hoppeler H, von Rechenberg B, Gerber C. A pathomechanical concept explains muscle loss and fatty muscular changes following surgical tendon release. J Orthop Res. 2004;22:1004–1007
  27. Nakagaki K, Ozaki J, Tomita Y, Tamai S. Function of supraspinatus muscle with torn cuff evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995;144–151
  28. Strobel K, Hodler J, Meyer DC, Pfirrmann CW, Pirkl C, Zanetti M. Fatty atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles: diagnostic performance of ultrasound. Radiology. 2005;237:584–589
  29. Thomazeau H, Rolland Y, Lucas C, Duval J, Langlais F. Atrophy of the supraspinatus belly; assessment by MRI in 55 patients with rotator cuff pathology. Acta Orthop Scand. 1996;67:264–268
  30. Tomanek R, Cooper RR. Ultrastructural changes in tenotomized fast- and slow-twitch muscle fibres. J Anat. 1972;113:409–424
  31. Zanetti M, Gerber C, Hodler J. Quantitative assessment of the muscles of the rotator cuff with magnetic resonance imaging. Invest Radiol. 1998;33:163–170

 This study has been supported by a grant from the ResOrtho Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.

PII: S1058-2746(07)00333-3

doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2007.02.122

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Volume 16, Issue 6 , Pages 691-696 , November 2007

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution