ArticleJournal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma2021
Subacromial balloon spacer - Where are we now?
Article in Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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
6 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- 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
- Multifragmented InSpace balloon with foreign body-induced inflammation: a case report.JSES international · 2025Article
- Subacromial balloon spacers for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears: a review.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2023Review
- Effective Management of Bilateral Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears through Implantation of Subacromial Balloon Spacers.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2023Article
- Outcomes of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tendon tear without pseudoparalysis.JSES international · 2022Article
- The changing landscape of rotator cuff surgery.Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionRotator cuff tears are a common cause of disability and pain. The ideal treatment for truly irreparable rotator cuffs is still debated, and one recent surgical advance is the development of the subacromial balloon spacer. This review aims to clarify the current evidence and indications for this device.
methodsA comprehensive literature search was undertaken using the MeSH search terms combining "balloon spacer" and "irreparable cuff tear". A total of 20 studies using the balloon spacer as a treatment modality in more than two patients, were analysed.
resultsA total of 513 patients were analysed, representing 83% of those initially identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies recommended the device, with only four suggesting it was not recommended based on their results. Notable bias was present in the studies analysed, and there were no papers providing greater than level III evidence.
conclusionThe subacromial balloon spacer is one possible treatment option for older, low-demand patients with a full thickness rotator cuff tear involving only the supraspinatus tendon, who also have no arthritis and have preserved active elevation beyond 90°. However, the results of two large randomised prospective trials are awaited to provide satisfactory evidence regarding the use of the balloon spacer.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
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.