Improving shoulder function and pain in a paraplegic patient with massive irreparable rotator cuff tear using a subacromial balloon spacer

The subacromial balloon spacer is a promising treatment option for alleviating symptoms in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs). The balloon provides faster pain relief and easier rehabilitation than other options (such as arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair). For a par...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Akshay Khanna, Mohamad Y. Fares, Jonathan Koa, Joseph A. Abboud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society 2024-03-01
Series:Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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Online Access:http://www.cisejournal.org/upload/pdf/cise-2023-00913.pdf
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Summary:The subacromial balloon spacer is a promising treatment option for alleviating symptoms in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs). The balloon provides faster pain relief and easier rehabilitation than other options (such as arthroscopic partial rotator cuff repair). For a paraplegic MIRCT patient, the need for speedy recovery and rehabilitation is crucial, as these patients rely on their upper limbs for daily life activities and independence. In this report, we present a 60-year-old male paraplegic patient who presented to the clinic with an MIRCT of the right shoulder. After a holistic investigation and assessment of the patient, a subacromial balloon spacer with an upper border subscapularis repair was chosen as the treatment of choice. The patient had an uneventful recovery, and at the 1-year mark, had forward elevation of 170°, an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 95, and a visual analog scale pain score of 0.
ISSN:2288-8721