Treatment for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears
According to Gregory Montalbano, MD, “Until recently patients with large non-repairable rotator cuff tears did not have an option for effective minimally invasive surgical treatment. The only surgical options were placing complex surgical grafts or converting to a shoulder replacement.”
“Stryker recently released their subacromial balloon spacer (In Space Subacromial Spacer, Stryker USA) which created another option for treatment of this condition. The major benefit of the balloon spacer compared to other surgical options is being a quick, minimally invasive procedure with minimal recovery time.”
Is This Procedure Effective?
“A recent meta-analysis looking at 270 shoulders with massive nonrepairable rotator cuff tears that underwent subacromial balloon spacer implantation achieved satisfactory outcomes up to the full duration of follow-up at three years.”
“Significant improvements were seen for pain, activities of daily living, range of motion and strength. This reflects my own experience in using the device since it became available and so far my patients have been satisfied with the result. Studies like these as well as my own experiences certainly support the ongoing use of this device as an effective option for treatment of this debilitating condition.”
