Evaluation of Functional and Biomechanical Outcome by Shear-wave Elastography in the Short to Intermediate Follow-up After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

NCT ID: NCT05691374

Last Updated: 2025-05-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

75 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-12-22

Study Completion Date

2025-07-31

Brief Summary

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This exploratory project will evaluate the biomechanical and functional intermediate-term outcome (2 to 5 years) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with modern non-invasive ultrasound techniques (especially shear wave elastography (SWE)), standardized physical examinations and patient-reported outcomes. It is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff, as well as the biceps muscle after ARCR and to compare elasticity and structural properties to the healthy contralateral side.

Detailed Description

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Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears is commonly performed. However, recurrent tears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) remain a significant clinical problem, especially in cases with large tears. Depending on literature, reported retear rates can range between 13% to 69%. Most likely, these tears reflect mechanical failure of the repair construct.

Ultrasound elastography is a recent technology and especially shear wave elastography (SWE) has experienced major developments in the past years. SWE offers an ultrasound based non-invasive quantitative tissue elasticity measurement by evaluating shear wave propagation speed which reflects the biomechanical properties of soft tissue. With this technique, the deltoid and trapezius muscle, several sections of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons as well as the proximal part of the long head of the biceps muscle can be evaluated. Results of the patient-reported outcomes and the physical examinations of the intermediate follow-up (2-5 years) will be compared with the data of the preoperative function.

It is a retrospective observational cohort study with additional prospective clinical data collection in terms of a physical examination and ultrasound examination.

There is no additional invasive procedure for this study.

Conditions

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Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair (ARCR)

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Interventions

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Ultrasound (US) examination

Shear-Wave Elastography (SWE) measurements of operated shoulder (quality, elasticity of repaired tendon) compared to healthy contralateral side. Parameters documented by regular US: Diameter of repaired tendon/ tendon thickness (mm), Rotator cuff muscle fatty infiltration (Grade 0-4), Signs of suture cut-through (yes \| no), Signs of anchor displacement and location (lateral\|medial row), Location of defect (at the foot print\|medial cuff failure), Status of long biceps tendon (intact\|in continuity\|defect). Tissue elasticity measured by SWE in longitudinal orientation (in passive state and with active tension): Trapezius and Deltoid muscle: uninjured superficial muscle for individual patient muscle quality, SSP muscle and tendon: anterior and posterior part, SSC muscle and tendon: cranial and caudal part, ISP muscle and tendon, Biceps muscle and tendon: native (intraarticular) or subpectoral tenodesis (extraarticular)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Clinical examination

Clinical examination for shoulder range of motion and strength measurement

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* year of surgery between 2015 and 2020
* ARCR surgery in cases of:

* Partial or complete supraspinatus (SSP) tear
* Partial or complete supraspinatus (ISP) tear
* Partial or complete subscapularis (SSC) tear
* Combined SSP, ISP and SSC tear
* with or without biceps tenodesis during same procedure
* able to understand the content of the patient information / consent form and give consent to take part in the study

Exclusion Criteria

* revision surgery (prior repair of the rotator cuff in the same shoulder)
* postoperative infections
* patients with a language barrier hindering questionnaire completion (either in German, French, Italian or English)
* legal incompetence
* not eligible for Ultrasound (BMI \>35, persistent frozen shoulder)
* Prior surgery or injury of the contralateral shoulder
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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DePuy Synthes

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Andreas Müller, Prof. Dr. med.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

University Hospital Basel, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery

Locations

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University Hospital Basel, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery

Basel, , Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Switzerland

Central Contacts

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Dominik M Bühler, Dr. med.

Role: CONTACT

+41 61 556 59 69

Ilona Ahlborn

Role: CONTACT

+41 79 753 37 24

Facility Contacts

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Dominik Bühler, Dr. med.

Role: primary

+41 61 556 59 69

Ilona Ahlborn

Role: backup

+41 79 753 37 24

Other Identifiers

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2022-02061; mu23Mueller

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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