Our Summary

This study compared two types of treatment for small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears - a traditional stitched repair and a newer technique called isolated bioinductive repair (IBR). This new technique uses the remaining intact tendon tissue to support healing. The trial found that the IBR treatment was more effective than traditional stitched repair in several ways.

Patients who received IBR had better quality tendon tissue at the six-month mark, showed less inflammation, and their tendons became thicker than those who received the traditional treatment. The MRI scans showed complete healing in all IBR patients at 12 and 24 months.

In terms of patient-reported outcomes, those who had the IBR treatment reported less pain, higher satisfaction, and better shoulder function. They also returned to work faster than those who had the traditional treatment.

The study concluded that the IBR treatment, which uses a bioinductive collagen implant, offers superior results compared to traditional stitched repair for small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears.

FAQs

  1. What is the difference between traditional stitched repair and isolated bioinductive repair (IBR) for rotator cuff tears?
  2. What benefits did patients experience with the IBR treatment compared to the traditional treatment?
  3. What is a bioinductive collagen implant and how does it contribute to the success of the IBR treatment?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about rotator cuff repair is to consider the benefits of the newer technique called isolated bioinductive repair (IBR) over traditional stitched repair. This technique has shown to have better outcomes in terms of tendon healing, inflammation reduction, shoulder function, pain relief, and overall patient satisfaction. It may be worth discussing with your doctor if this option is suitable for your rotator cuff tear.

Suitable For

Patients with small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears who are looking for a more effective and advanced treatment option may be recommended for rotator cuff repair using the isolated bioinductive repair (IBR) technique. This new technique has been shown to result in better tendon tissue quality, less inflammation, thicker tendons, complete healing, improved patient-reported outcomes, and faster return to work compared to traditional stitched repair. Patients who want to optimize their recovery and outcomes following rotator cuff repair may be good candidates for IBR treatment.

Timeline

Before rotator cuff repair:

  1. Patient experiences shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
  2. Patient undergoes medical evaluation, imaging tests (such as MRI or ultrasound), and physical therapy to confirm the diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear.
  3. Orthopedic surgeon recommends surgery for small to medium-sized tears.

After rotator cuff repair:

  1. Patient undergoes either traditional stitched repair or isolated bioinductive repair (IBR) surgery.
  2. In the immediate post-operative period, patient will need to wear a sling to support the shoulder and undergo physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.
  3. Over the next six months, patient will continue with physical therapy to gradually increase shoulder function and strength.
  4. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon will monitor healing progress through imaging tests and clinical evaluations.
  5. At the six-month mark, patients who received IBR show better quality tendon tissue, less inflammation, and thicker tendons compared to those who received traditional stitched repair.
  6. At 12 and 24 months, MRI scans show complete healing in all IBR patients.
  7. Patient-reported outcomes show that those who had IBR treatment have less pain, higher satisfaction, better shoulder function, and faster return to work compared to those who had traditional treatment.
  8. Overall, the study concludes that IBR treatment offers superior results for small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears compared to traditional stitched repair.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about rotator cuff repair include:

  1. What are the different treatment options available for my rotator cuff tear, and why do you recommend a specific treatment approach?
  2. Can you explain the differences between traditional stitched repair and isolated bioinductive repair (IBR) in terms of effectiveness and recovery outcomes?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with each type of treatment?
  4. How long is the recovery process for each treatment option, and when can I expect to return to normal activities?
  5. Will I need physical therapy after the surgery, and if so, what does the rehab process entail?
  6. What are the success rates of IBR compared to traditional stitched repair for patients with small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears?
  7. Are there any specific factors about my condition that may make me a better candidate for one type of treatment over the other?
  8. How often will I need follow-up appointments to monitor my progress and healing after the surgery?
  9. What can I do to optimize my recovery and improve the long-term outcomes of the treatment I choose?
  10. Are there any lifestyle modifications or precautions I should take to prevent future rotator cuff injuries after treatment?

Reference

Authors: Camacho Chacón JA, Roda Rojo V, Martin Martinez A, Cuenca Espierrez J, Garcia Calvo V, Calderón Meza JM, Martin Hernandez C. Journal: J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2024 Sep;33(9):1894-1904. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.03.043. Epub 2024 May 10. PMID: 38734130