Purpose To biomechanically compare the effect of superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) using a 3‐ and 6‐mm thick acellular dermal allograft for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Methods Eight fresh‐frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested using a dynamic shoulder model. Maximum abduction angle (MAA), glenohumeral superior translation (ghST), subacromial peak contact pressure (sPCP), and cumulative deltoid force (cDF) were compared among 4 conditions: (1) intact shoulder, (2) simulated irreparable rotator cuff tear (RCT), (3) SCR using a 3‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft, (4) SCR using a 6‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft. Results Compared with the intact state, simulated irreparable RCTs significantly decreased MAA ( P < .001), while significantly increasing ghST ( P = .001), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P < .001). SCR with a 3‐mm‐thick graft significantly increased MAA ( P = .01) and decreased ghST ( P = .01) compared with the RCT state, however, showed similar sPCP and cDF. Compared with the torn state, SCR with a 6‐mm‐thick graft significantly increased MAA ( P < .001) and significantly decreased ghST ( P < .001), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P = .001). Using a 6‐mm‐thick graft demonstrated similar MAA, ghST, sPCP, and cDF compared with the intact state. When comparing the 3‐mm to the 6‐mm thick graft, significant differences were found in ghST ( P = .03), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P = .02). Conclusions SCR with a 6‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft better restored normal glenohumeral joint position and forces compared with a 3‐mm‐thick graft for the treatment of irreparable RCTs. Clinical Relevance Graft thickness may affect the clinical success following SCR with commercially available dermal allografts. Using a thicker (>3 mm) graft was able to biomechanically better restore native glenohumeral joint properties.
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Purpose To biomechanically compare the effect of superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) using a 3‐ and 6‐mm thick acellular dermal allograft for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Methods Eight fresh‐frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested using a dynamic shoulder model. Maximum abduction angle (MAA), glenohumeral superior translation (ghST), subacromial peak contact pressure (sPCP), and cumulative deltoid force (cDF) were compared among 4 conditions: (1) intact shoulder, (2) simulated irreparable rotator cuff tear (RCT), (3) SCR using a 3‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft, (4) SCR using a 6‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft. Results Compared with the intact state, simulated irreparable RCTs significantly decreased MAA ( P < .001), while significantly increasing ghST ( P = .001), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P < .001). SCR with a 3‐mm‐thick graft significantly increased MAA ( P = .01) and decreased ghST ( P = .01) compared with the RCT state, however, showed similar sPCP and cDF. Compared with the torn state, SCR with a 6‐mm‐thick graft significantly increased MAA ( P < .001) and significantly decreased ghST ( P < .001), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P = .001). Using a 6‐mm‐thick graft demonstrated similar MAA, ghST, sPCP, and cDF compared with the intact state. When comparing the 3‐mm to the 6‐mm thick graft, significant differences were found in ghST ( P = .03), sPCP ( P < .001), and cDF ( P = .02). Conclusions SCR with a 6‐mm‐thick acellular dermal allograft better restored normal glenohumeral joint position and forces compared with a 3‐mm‐thick graft for the treatment of irreparable RCTs. Clinical Relevance Graft thickness may affect the clinical success following SCR with commercially available dermal allografts. Using a thicker (>3 mm) graft was able to biomechanically better restore native glenohumeral joint properties.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.