Category Ranking
98%
Total Visits
921
Avg Visit Duration
2 minutes
Citations
20
Article Abstract
Purpose: To provide an overview of the existing literature on subacromial balloon spacers for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, in an effort to inform surgeons of the procedure's clinical effectiveness.
Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid EMBASE databases were queried to identify studies evaluating the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of patients indicated for subacromial balloon spacer implantation. The following datapoints were extracted: study demographics, patient baseline characteristics, and postoperative outcomes of interest. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at the longest available follow-up period.
Results: A total 766 patients were included among 22 included studies, with an average follow-up of 27.54 months. Improvements were seen for all clinical and patient-reported outcomes: forward elevation (ranging from 9.20 to 90.00° improvement), external rotation (ranging from 2.00 to 22.00°), abduction (ranging from 14.00 to 95.00°), Total Constant Score (ranging from 7.70 to 50.00), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ranging from 24.60 to 59.84), Oxford Shoulder Score (ranging from 7.20 to 22.20), and pain score (ranging from 3.57 to 6.50). Minimal differences were seen in acromiohumeral interval (ranging from -2.00 to 1.27). Reoperation and complication rates ranged from 0% to 33% and 0% to 19.64%, respectively.
Conclusions: The short-term results of subacromial balloon spacers for management of massive rotator cuff tears demonstrate clinically relevant improvements in shoulder range of motion and substantial improvements in patient-reported outcome measures. Of note, minimal change in acromiohumeral interval was seen on postoperative radiography, and wide variations in complication and reoperation rates were reported across studies.
Level Of Evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2023.05.028 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Subacromial Balloon Spacer for Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears - A Valuable Tool, but Not a Blanket Solution.
Arthroscopy
August 2025
Orthopedic Department, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel; Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address:
The subacromial balloon spacer continues to gain attention as a minimally invasive option for the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs), yet its long-term role and optimal surgical context remain under debate. Recent clinical studies have highlighted the short-term improvements in pain and function but also raise important questions regarding concomitant procedures, patient selection, and rehabilitation protocols. While current evidence support its role in short-term functional improvement and pain relief, individual patient factors and technical variability suggest that balloon implantation should remain a selective, not reflexive, intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNonarthroplasty surgical management of massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Shoulder Elbow
August 2025
Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Introduction: Massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears (MRCTs) pose clinical and surgical challenges due to tendon retraction, fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and poor tissue quality. Nonarthroplasty options have emerged as alternatives to shoulder arthroplasty.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies evaluating nonarthroplasty surgical treatments for MRCTs.
The subacromial balloon spacer: Adhering to indications and clinical outcomes.
J Hand Microsurg
September 2025
Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
The subacromial balloon spacer has emerged as a viable treatment option for patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. Acting as a temporary interpositional device, the subacromial balloon reduces acromiohumeral impingement and redistributes forces across the shoulder, leading to pain relief and improved function. Achieving optimal outcomes requires adherence to appropriate surgical indications and the implementation of a structured postoperative rehabilitation protocol.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiocompatibility of the InSpace Subacromial Balloon Spacer: An In Vivo Murine Pouch Model Cytokine Analysis.
J Shoulder Elbow Surg
July 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Providence - Michigan State University, Southfield, MI, USA.
Background: There are several methods of treating massive rotator cuff tears in patients without severe glenohumeral arthritis. Subacromial balloon spacers have emerged as one solution to this problem. Previous studies identified a lasting film in the subacromial space well after the balloon should have dissolved, and there is limited information regarding the biocompatibility and reactivity of the resorbable implant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPosterosuperior irreparable rotator cuff tears (PSIRCTs) are challenging to treat with both conservative and surgical approaches. Patients with PSIRCTs often have a high burden of suffering with regard to pain level and functional impairments. Different surgical treatment options are available for PSIRCTs depending on age, functional requirements, and grade of osteoarthritis: joint-preserving procedures such as arthroscopic debridement, partial repair with or without augmentation, superior capsular reconstruction, and subacromial balloon spacer for young and active patients and joint-replacing surgery, such as reverse shoulder arthroplasty, in elderly patients with osteoarthritis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF