Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Anatomy, Extremities, Musculoskeletal joint, CT, MR, Ultrasound, Complications, Education, Technical aspects, Education and training, Infection, Inflammation
Authors:
J. Salvador García, R. Vila, M. Vega Martínez, M. Graells, L. Garcia-Ferrer; Valencia/ES
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1456
Background
Massive,
irreparable rotator cuff tears are a source of pain and disability.
Although,
occasionally,
a shoulder with this pathology may retain acceptable stability,
it is frequently very painful and nonfunctional.
A novel surgical technique uses a biodegradable subacromial spacer,
implanted between the acromion and the humeral head that permits smooth,
frictionless gliding,
restoring shoulder biomechanics.
The deployment of a balloon spacer should reduce subacromial friction during shoulder abduction by lowering the head of the humerus and facilitating humeral gliding against the acromion during movement.
As with any other implantable material,
the potential risks after implantation may include foreign body response,
and spacer displacement.
Radiology may play an important role in the detection of complications and,
therefore,
in the clinical management of the patient.