ArticleInternational orthopaedics2022
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.
Article in International orthopaedics, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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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.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- InSpace Balloon for the Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Clinics in orthopedic surgery · 2023Pooled it
- An analysis of failure rates for treatment options for large to massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: a systematic review.Journal of shoulder and elbow arthroplasty · 2026Review
- 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
- Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Subacromial Balloon Surgical Technique.Arthroscopy techniques · 2023Article
- Human Dermal Allograft Patch Augmentation of Degenerate Rotator Cuff Tendon Using a Single Lateral-Row Technique.Arthroscopy techniques · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThis study was designed to investigate the efficacy of the InSpace balloon spacer with a specific focus on clinical and patient-related parameters, functional scores InSpace durability, and satisfaction in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (IRCT) at minimum one year follow-up.
methodsBetween 2010 and 2018, patients with symptomatic IRCTs were treated with InSpace balloon implantation. Demographic characteristics, concomitant procedures, and patient's reported outcomes (PROMs) were obtained as well as satisfaction rate and willingness to undergo the procedure again. Need for subsequent surgery and conversion to reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) and time to conversion were also evaluated.
resultsSeventy-eight patients (mean age of 70 years, range 46-86) who underwent an InSpace (OrthoSpace, Inc., Caesarea, Israel) balloon implantation were included. Mean follow-up was 56 months (median = 49.6, range 16-129 months). Sixteen out of our 29 pseudoparalytic patients (55.2%) exceed 90° of forward flexion post-surgery with mean improvement of 73° (20-150). Patients older than 65 years of age displayed a statistically significant improved ASES score (60.6 to 46.4, P < 0.05). Patients who underwent a subscapularis (SSC) repair demonstrated a superior ASES score (63.4 compared to 50.4, P = 0.06).
conclusionsBased on the current study, spacer implantation is a low-risk, clinically effective treatment for the patients with IRCTs. Patient-specific parameters such as age, BMI, and gender should be considered during patient selection process. SSC tendon tears should be repaired if needed. Improvement in function and symptoms from this procedure may negate or delay the need for RTSA even for some of the pseudoparalytic patients.
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