Superior Capsular Reconstruction: Clinical Outcomes After Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up.
Hirahara AM, Andersen WJ, Panero AJ. AJO. 2017 Nov;46(6): 266-272, 278.
Authors discuss a series of patients undergoing Superior Capsular Reconstruction with ArthroFlex that have a minimum of two year follow up. After two years post-operatively, “mean ASES score improved significantly….and mean VAS pain score decreased significantly.” “Our data showed SCR with dermal allograft effectively restored the superior restraints in the glenohumeral joint and yielded outstanding clinical outcomes even after 2 years, making it an excellent viable alternative to RTSA.
Preliminary Results of Arthroscopic Superior Capsule Reconstruction with Dermal Allograft.
Denard PJ, Brady PC, Adams CR, Tokish JM, Burkhart SS. Arthroscopy. 2018;34(1):93-9.
This multicenter, prospective study evaluates the short-term outcomes of arthroscopic SCR with a dermal allograft, ArthroFlex. The investigators measured range of motion and functional outcome scores of 59 patients pre-operatively and 1 year at final follow-up. The VAS, ASES, and SSV scores all showed statistically significant improvements. The investigators conclude that their “preliminary results are encouraging in this difficult to manage patient population.
Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction with Acellular Dermal Allograft for the Treatment of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Short-Term Clinical Outcomes and the Radiographic Parameter of Superior Capsular Distance.
Pennington WT, Bartz BA, Pauli JM, Walker CE, Schmidt W. Arthroscopy 2018.
In a retrospective review, the authors analyzed 88 patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears treated with arthroscopic SCR using an acellular dermal allograft. Patients underwent a minimum 12-month follow-up. The authors used radiography, VAS, and ASES scores to analyze patient outcomes. At 1 year follow-up, VAS and ASES scores improved, 4.0-1.5 and 52-82, respectively. The analysis concludes that arthroscopic SCR with acellular dermal allograft is successful in decreasing pain and improving patient function.
Hartzler RU and Burkhart SS. Orthopedics. 2017 Oct; 40(5): 271-280.
Authors discuss clinical indication for Superior Capsular Reconstruction as well as some tips for the surgical technique. The senior author (SSB) also discusses his own personal outcomes utilizing ArthroFlex. In 97 patients, 34 have minimum one year follow up. “Only two patients (6%) have had further surgery, both after traumatic reinjury… The remaining 32 patients have all reported satisfaction with the surgery, and there have been no complications” Authors conclude “Superior Capsular Reconstruction is technically demanding, but early adopters of the procedure are supported by its excellent anatomical, biomechanical, and short-term clinical results.
Arthroscopic Superior Capsular Reconstruction for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Repair.
Burkhart SS, Denard PJ, Adams CR, Brady PC and Hartzler RU. Arthrosc Tech. 2016 Dec; 5(6): e1407-18.
Authors describe their SCR technique using acellular dermal allograft that they have been performing for 2 years. They have collectively performed more than 100 SCRs using dermal allograft in patients with massive irreparable cuff tears. They state “our early results give us reason to be optimistic that SCR with dermal allograft may be a joint-preserving alternative that is preferable to rTSA for patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.