Subacromial Balloon Spacer - Where Are We Now?

Overview

Journal J Clin Orthop Trauma

Specialty Orthopedics

Date 2021 Apr 26

PMID 33898241

Citations 5

Authors

Aparna Viswanath

Steve Drew

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Rotator 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.

Methods: A 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.

Results: A 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.

Conclusion: The 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.

Citing Articles

Symptomatic Early Rupture of the InSpace Subacromial Balloon Spacer: A Case Report.

Mangan J, Shafritz A HSS J. 2024; :15563316241257233.

PMID: 39564402 PMC: 11572326. DOI: 10.1177/15563316241257233.

Subacromial balloon spacers for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears: a review.

McNamara 3rd J, Sudah S, Manzi J, Constantinescu D, Nicholson A, Menendez M JSES Rev Rep Tech. 2023; 3(3):331-335.

PMID: 37588486 PMC: 10426637. DOI: 10.1016/j.xrrt.2023.01.010.

Effective Management of Bilateral Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears through Implantation of Subacromial Balloon Spacers.

Fares M, Abboud J J Orthop Case Rep. 2023; 13(6):52-56.

PMID: 37398530 PMC: 10308967. DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2023.v13.i06.3692.

Outcomes of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tendon tear without pseudoparalysis.

Pines Y, Magone K, Ben-Ari E, Gordon D, Rokito A, Virk M JSES Int. 2022; 6(6):1005-1010.

PMID: 36353410 PMC: 9637579. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2022.06.007.

The changing landscape of rotator cuff surgery.

Monga P, Vaishya R J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021; 19:94-95.

PMID: 34046303 PMC: 8144724. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.024.

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