ArticleOrthopaedic journal of sports medicine2021
Fluoroscopically Guided Subacromial Spacer Implantation for Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Two Years of Prospective Follow-up.
Article in Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 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
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Superior capsule reconstruction, partial cuff repair, graft interposition, arthroscopic debridement or balloon spacers for large and massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2022Pooled it
- Percutaneous Subacromial Balloon Spacer Insertion Under Fluoroscopic Guidance in Patients Older Than 60 Years With Rotator Cuff Arthropathy Results in Significant Pain Relief but Does Not Improve Function.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2025Article
- Functional Outcomes and Complications Following Greater Tuberosity Resurfacing for Compensated Cuff Arthropathy.The Iowa orthopaedic journal · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 5 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMassive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) are common and have been estimated to account for nearly 40% of all rotator cuff tears. An evolving strategy for management of MRCTs has been the implantation of a degradable subacromial spacer balloon that attempts to restore normal shoulder biomechanics. PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of fluoroscopically guided balloon spacer implantation under local anesthesia in a cohort of patients with 2 years of postoperative follow-up. STUDY
designCase series; Level of evidence, 4.
methodsThe safety and efficacy of using fluoroscopically guided subacromial spacer implantation was assessed in 46 patients. Follow-up visits were scheduled according to routine clinical practice. Shoulder function was evaluated using Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) scores.
resultsOverall, 87.5% (35/40) of patients saw clinically significant improvement in the total Constant and ASES scores from 6 weeks postoperatively, with improvement maintained up to 24 months postoperatively.
conclusionThe data suggest that fluoroscopically guided subacromial spacer implantation under local anesthesia is a low-risk, clinically effective option, especially for the elderly population and those patients who have multiple comorbidities or a contraindication to general anesthesia. Patients undergoing subacromial spacer implantation for the treatment of MRCTs had satisfactory outcomes at 2-year follow-up, with a low rate of complications.
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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.