The experience with the use of a subacromial balloon in the treatment of patients with large, massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears

Background. Large, massive irreparable rotator cuff tears lead to a significant decrease in the function of the shoulder joint together with the development of a pronounced pain syndrome. Such injuries are difficult to treat, and the number of relapses, when trying to restore them, is quite high. The installation of a subacromial balloon is the method of choice for this group of patients and allows restoring the function of the shoulder joint fairly successfully. Aim: to evaluate the results of the treatment of patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears injuries in a prospective study from 2016 to 2018. Methods. The results of the arthroscopic treatment of large, irreparable rotator cuff injuries in 25 patients (with the average age of 67 ± 5 years) with the installation of a subacromial balloon are presented. In all the clinical cases, there was a pronounced (grades 3–4, according to the Goutallier classification) fatty dystrophy of the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus or in combination with subaspinatus). All the patients underwent the subacromial space release with a thorough bursectomy and subsequent installation of a subacromial balloon. Results. The average score on the UCLA scale was 14 ± 3 points (11–17) before the operation and 31±2 points (29–33) 12 months after the operation, the results were considered good and excellent. Conclusion. The results obtained allow us to evaluate the described technique as low-traumatic, simple and fast in its accomplishment, aimed at the reduction of the pain syndrome and restoration of the upper extremity function.