Complications of rotator cuff surgery in which bioabsorbable anchors are used.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the utility of MRI in patients with new or persistent pain after surgery with bioabsorbable rotator cuff anchors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Three musculoskeletal radiologists prospectively reviewed MRIs of 30 patients with pain after rotator cuff repair with fixation by rotator cuff anchors. Each radiologist described the location of the rotator cuff anchors and whether the supraspinatus tendon was intact or not. MRI findings were correlated with second-look arthroscopy. Consensus MRI interpretations by the three radiologists were obtained retrospectively.


RESULTS
Of the 30 patients, nine had dislodgement of the rotator cuff anchors from the humeral head along with a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon retear. The dislodged rotator cuff anchor position could be determined on coronal and sagittal MRIs, providing the orthopedic surgeon a preoperative map for tendon reattachment and retrieval of the dislodged rotator cuff anchor. Four patients had loose rotator cuff anchors but intact supraspinatus tendons. Three patients had supraspinatus tendon retears, but the rotator cuff anchors were intact. In all 16 patients, arthroscopic findings confirmed MRI findings. Fourteen patients had intact rotator cuff anchors and intact supraspinatus tendons on MRI. Of these 14 patients, five had second-look arthroscopy confirming MRI findings.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is useful in the assessment of patients with persistent or new-onset pain after supraspinatus tendon repair with rotator cuff anchors. MRI provides a presurgical map for second-look arthroscopy to assess retear of the supraspinatus tendon and also aids in retrieval of dislodged rotator cuff anchors.
Department of Radiology, Neuroimaging Institute, 27 E Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901, USA. mageerad@cfl.rr.com
Thomas
T
Magee
Marc
M
Shapiro
Galen
G
Hewell
David
D
Williams
D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries