ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of hamstring tendon transfected with adenovirus-mediated transforming growth factor β1 (AdTGF-β1) genes on the histomorphology of tendon-bone interface healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. MethodsAdTGF-β1 and AdGFP were diluted to 5×108 PFU/mL with DMEM. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups randomly (n=16), weighing 1.6-2.5 kg for ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft. Hamstring tendon was cultured and transfected with AdTGF-β1 (group A) and AdGFP (group B) for 12 hours before ACL reconstruction, and was cultured with DMEM in group C. After 12 hours of transfection, the expression of green fluorescence was observed in groups A and B under fluorescence microscopy; TGF-β1 protein level was detected by ELISA in group A. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, the specimens were harvested for HE and Masson staining; the number of fibroblasts was counted, and the Buark grading was used to evaluate tendon-bone interface healing. ResultsGreen fluorescence was observed after 12 hours of transfection in groups A and B. TGF-β1 protein level reached (221.0±12.2) ng/mL at 12 hours in group A. The histological observation showed that few fibroblasts and collagen fibers were found, and Sharpey fibers appeared in group A; regular Sharpey fibers were seen in the interface, and integrity interface in some areas at 12 weeks. But fibroblasts of groups B and C were less than those of group A, with loose tendon-bone interface; no integrity interface was observed at 12 weeks. The number of fibroblasts and Buark grading of group A were significantly higher than those of groups B and C (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups B and C (P>0.05). ConclusionHamstring tendon transfected with AdTGF-β1 gene can promote the healing of tendon-bone interface after ACL reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo detect the expression of human transforming growth factor β1 (hTGF-β1) gene mediated by adenovirus (Ad) in hamstring tendon after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in rabbits. MethodsAd-hTGF-β1 and Ad-green fluorescent protein (GFP) were diluted to 5×108 PFU/mL with DMEM. Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups randomly (n=16) for ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft. Hamstring tendon was cultured and transfected with Ad-hTGF-β1 (group A) and Ad-GFP (group B) for 12 hours before ACL reconstruction, and was cultured with DMEM in group C. After 12 hours of transfection, green fluorescence was observed in groups A and B under fluorescence microscopy. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after operation, the hamstring tendon was harvested to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of hTGF-β1 by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. ResultsGreen fluorescence was observed after 12 hours of transfection in groups A and B. TGF-β1 protein level reached (221.0±12.2) ng/mL at 12 hours in group A. The hTGF-β1 mRNA expression could be detected in group A, but it could not be detected in group B and group C. The mRNA expression levels of hTGF-β1 were 1.004±0.072 at 2 weeks, 0.785±0.038 at 4 weeks, 0.469±0.053 at 6 weeks, and 0.172±0.021 at 8 weeks in group A, showing significant difference (P<0.05). Western blot results showed weakly positive band in groups B and C; the protein expression of TGF-β1 in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups B and C P>0.05). The protein expression of TGF-β1 gradually reduced with time, showing significant difference between different time points (P<0.05). ConclusionAd-hTGF-β1 can transfect the hamstring tendon successfully, and it can effectively express for a long time after ACL reconstruction.
Objective To explore the mid-term effectiveness of arthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair for partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesion. Methods A clinical data of 39 patients with PASTA lesions, who underwent the arthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair and met the selected criteria between May 2017 and April 2021, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 26 females, with an average age of 63.7 years (range, 43-76 years). Nine patients underwent trauma history, and no obvious inducement was found in the other 30 patients. The main clinical symptom was shoulder pain with positive hug resistance test. The interval from symptom onset to operation was 3-21 months (mean, 8.3 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, American Association of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and shoulder range of motion (ROM) of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation were used to evaluate shoulder function. MRI was performed to assess the structural integrity and tension of reattached tendon. Patient satisfactions were calculated at last follow-up. Results All incisions healed by first intention with no complications such as incision infection or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 24-71 months (mean, 46.9 months). The VAS, UCLA, and ASES scores significantly improved at 24 months after operation when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). The ROMs of forward flexion and external rotation of the shoulder joint significantly increased at 3 and 24 months, and further increased at 24 months compared to 3 months, with significant differences (P<0.05). However, the ROM of abduction of the shoulder joint at 3 months did not significantly improve compared with that before operation (P>0.05), and it was significantly greater at 24 months than before operation and at 3 months after operation (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the patients were very satisfied with the effectiveness in 30 cases (76.9%), satisfied in 5 cases (12.8%), and dissatisfied in 4 cases (10.3%). At 6 months after operation, 31 patients underwent reviews of MRI scans, of which 28 patients possessed intact structural integrity, good tendon tension and tendon healing, and 3 patients underwent tendon re-tear. ConclusionArthroscopic “mini incision” transtendon repair in treatment of PASTA lesion could obtain satisfying mid-term effectiveness with low risk of tendon re-tear.
ObjectiveTo investigate the early effectiveness of arthroscopic repair of supraspinatus tendon tears with douple-pulley suture-bridge. Methods The clinical data of 38 patients with supraspinatus tendon tears who met the selection criteria between September 2020 and July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and all of them were treated with arthroscopic double-pulley suture-bridge technique. There were 15 males and 23 females, aged from 43 to 77 years, with an average of 61.5 years. There were 15 cases of left shoulder and 23 cases of right shoulder. Seven cases had a history of trauma, and the other 31 cases had no obvious inducement. The main clinical symptoms of the patient were pain in lifting the shoulder joint and hug resistance test (+). The time from onset of symptoms to admission ranged from 6 to 19 months, with an average of 10.3 months. Flexion, abduction, and external rotation of the shoulder were recorded before operation and at 3 and 12 months after operation. Pain and function of the shoulder were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, and American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score before operation and at 12 months after operation. Tendon healing, tendon continuity, and tension were evaluated by MRI at 3-6 months after operation, and patient’s satisfaction was evaluated at last follow-up. ResultsAll the incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as incision infection or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 12-34 months, with an average of 23.3 months. VAS score, UCLA shoulder score, and ASES score at 12 months after operation were significantly better than those before operation (P<0.05). The external rotation range of shoulder joint significantly improved at 3 and 12 months after operation (P<0.05), and it further improved at 12 months after operation when compared with 3 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the range of flexion and abduction at 3 months after operation when compared with those before operation (P>0.05), but the range of flexion and abduction at 12 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation and at 3 months after operation (P<0.05). MRI reexamination was performed in 28 patients at 3-6 months after operation. Among them, 25 patients had intact supraspinatus tendon structure, good tension, and tendon healing, and 3 patients had type 1 retear. The remaining 10 patients refused to undergo MRI reexamination because of the satisfactory effectiveness. At last follow-up, 29 patients (76.3%) were very satisfied with the results, 6 (15.7%) were satisfied, and 3 (7.8%) were not satisfied. ConclusionArthroscopic double-pulley suture-bridge technique can achieve the effect of suture bridge operation, reduce the cost of operation and the risk of type 2 retear, and the early effectiveness is satisfactory, but the shoulder joint movement is limited within 3 months after operation.
Objective To investigate short-term effectiveness of arthroscopic repair via modified subacromial viewing portal (hereinafter referred to as modified viewing portal) in treatment of LafosseⅠsubscapularis tendon tears. Methods A clinical data of 52 patients with LafosseⅠsubscapularis tendon tears, who underwent the arthroscopic repair via modified viewing portal between October 2020 and November 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 37 females with an average age of 63.4 years (range, 41-76 years). Twelve patients had trauma history and the other 40 patients had no obvious inducement. The main clinical symptom was shoulder pain and the hug resistance tests were positive in all patients. The interval between symptom onset and admission ranged from 3 to 26 months (mean, 7.2 months). The shoulder pain and function were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score before operation and at 12 months after operation. The shoulder range of motion (ROM) of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation and the internal rotation strength were measured before operation and at 3 and 12 months after operation. MRI was performed at 3-6 months after operation to assess the tendon healing and the structural integrity and tension of reattached tendon. Patient’s satisfactions were calculated at last follow-up. Results All incisions healed by first intention, no complication such as incision infection or nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 18.5 months). The VAS, UCLA, and ASES scores at 12 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The ROMs of abduction and forward flexion and the internal rotation strength at 3 and 12 months significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); and the ROMs at 12 months significantly improved compared to that at 3 months (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the ROM of external rotation at 3 months compared to that before operation; but the ROM at 12 months significantly improved compared to that before operation and at 3 months after operation (P<0.05). Thirty-one patients underwent MRI at 3-6 months, of which 28 patients possessed intact structural integrity, good tendon tension and tendon healing; 3 patients underwent tendon re-tear. At last follow-up, 41 patients (78.8%) were very satisfied with the effectiveness, 7 were satisfied (13.5%), and 4 were dissatisfied (7.7%). Conclusion Arthroscopic repair via modified viewing portal for Lafosse Ⅰsubscapularis tendon tears, which can achieve the satisfactory visualization and working space, can obtain good short-term effectiveness with low overall re-tear risk.
Objective To explore the early effectiveness of arthroscopic tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge in treatment of medium-size supraspinatus tendon tears. Methods Between December 2020 and January 2023, 40 patients with medium-size supraspinatus tendon tears were treated with arthroscopic tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge. There were 18 males and 22 females, with an average age of 62.6 years (mean, 45-73 years). Among them, 17 patients had trauma history. The main clinical symptom was shoulder pain with hug resistance test (+). The interval from symptom onset to operation was 10.7 months on average (range, 3-36 months). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and shoulder range of motion (ROM) of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation were used to evaluate shoulder function. MRI was performed to assess the structural integrity and tension of reattached tendon. Patient satisfactions were calculated at last follow-up. Results All incisions healed by first intention, no complications such as incision infection or nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 18.2 months). At 12 months after operation, VAS score, UCLA score, and ASES score significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores (P<0.05). At 3 and 12 months after operation, the ROM of external rotation significantly improved when compared with preoperative one (P<0.05), and further improved at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). However, the ROMs of abduction and forward flexion did not improve at 3 months after operation when compared with those before operation (P>0.05), but significantly improved at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). Twenty-six patients underwent MRI at 3-6 months, of which 23 patients possessed intact structural integrity, good tendon tension, and tendon healing; 3 patients underwent tendon re-tear. The self-rated satisfaction rate was 92.5% at last follow-up. Conclusion Arthroscopic tri-anchor double-pulley suture-bridge in treatment of medium-size supraspinatus tendon tears can maximize the tendon-bone contact area, obtain satisfied early effectiveness with high satisfaction rate and low incidence of tendon re-tear. However, the function of abduction is limited at 3 months after operation, and patients need to adhere to rehabilitation training to further improve the joint activity.