ReviewCurrent reviews in musculoskeletal medicine2020
Subacromial Balloon Spacer Implantation.
Review in Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 41 citations in OpenAlex.
- Clinical and functional outcomes of subacromial spacer implantation and superior capsular reconstruction for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Pooled it
- Limited Clinical Benefit of the Subacromial Balloon Spacer in Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness.JBJS reviews · 2026Review
- MRI of early potential complications of subacromial balloon implantation: a retrospective cross-sectional study.Skeletal radiology · 2025Article
- The subacromial balloon spacer: Adhering to indications and clinical outcomes.Journal of hand and microsurgery · 2025Article
- "Surviving the dip" after subacromial balloon spacer implantation for massive rotator cuff tear treatment: a retrospective case series.European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2024Article
- Improving shoulder function and pain in a paraplegic patient with massive irreparable rotator cuff tear using a subacromial balloon spacer.Clinics in shoulder and elbow · 2024Article
- The Insertion of a Subacromial Balloon Spacer Can Provide Symptom Relief and Functional Improvement at a Minimum 5-Year Follow-Up in Patients With Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2024Article
- The "Balloon Dip": Insights into a Post-operative Trend in Patients Undergoing Subacromial Balloon Procedure.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2024Article
- Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear With Medialization and Balloon Spacer Insertion.Arthroscopy techniques · 2024Article
- Ultrasound-Guided Deflation and Arthroscopic Removal of a Migrated Subacromial Balloon Spacer.Arthroscopy techniques · 2023Article
- Subacromial Balloon Implantation for the Treatment of Irreparable Posterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears.Arthroscopy techniques · 2023Article
- Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Subacromial Balloon Surgical Technique.Arthroscopy techniques · 2023Article
- Latissimus Dorsi Transfer Combined with Subacromial Balloon Spacer for Bidirectional Rotator Cuff Deficiency.Arthroscopy techniques · 2022Article
- Outcomes of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tendon tear without pseudoparalysis.JSES international · 2022Article
- Biodegradable balloon spacer for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears is associated with improved functional outcomes, low revisions, and complications rate at minimum one year follow-up.International orthopaedics · 2022Article
- Modified Technique for Arthroscopic Bursal Acromial Reconstruction Utilizing Acellular Dermal Allograft.Arthroscopy techniques · 2022Article
- [Arthroscopic augmentation techniques for superior capsule reconstruction].Operative Orthopadie und Traumatologie · 2022Review
- Treatment Options for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears.Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine · 2021Review
- Combined Margin Convergence Repair and Subacromial Balloon Spacer for the Treatment of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears.Video journal of sports medicineArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purpose of reviewMassive irreparable rotator cuff tears present a treatment challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. There is no gold standard among numerous treatment options including nonoperative management, partial repair, debridement, superior capsular reconstruction, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. In recent years, yet another option, an implantable biodegradable subacromial balloon spacer has become available with promising early results. RECENT
findingsBiomechanical studies have demonstrated that the balloon spacer effectively restores the normal humeral head position and glenohumeral joint mechanics. This device has been used in Europe since 2012 with promising clinical results. Most of the studies on this implantable balloon represent single surgeon uncontrolled case series with small numbers of patients, but they report improvements in pain and function following spacer placement, with the longest term studies reporting maintenance of improvements for up to 5 years. Certain studies have shown a benefit when the procedure is done in isolation as well as in combination with other arthroscopic procedures, such as partial rotator cuff repair. The balloon subacromial spacer is a promising new device that can be used in the treatment of patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. In our experience, patients without arthritis who have active forward elevation over 90 degrees and an intact subscapularis have the best chance of a good outcome. We recommend performing the procedure arthroscopically along with any other indicated procedures including debridement, partial repair, and biceps tenotomy or tenodesis. High-quality long-term studies are needed to better define the indications and outcomes of the implantable balloon spacer in the management of irreparable cuff tears.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.