Introduction:

Rotator cuff (MR) ruptures occur in more than 50% of patients over the age of 60, and can cause changes in normal shoulder biomechanics that can trigger rotator cuff tear arthropathy. There is currently no consensus on treatment for massive rotator cuff tears.

Objective:

To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of subacromial balloon placement in these lesions.

Material and methods:

Analytical, longitudinal and retrospective study of 10 consecutive patients treated with the use of the subacromial balloon. Constant (CS) and ASES scales were used preoperatively and at 6, 12 months of post-surgical follow-up. Radiographic results were assessed using the Acromio-humeral Interval (AHI) on a true AP shoulder X-ray.

Results:

The average improvement in CS was 41.7 ± 8.93 at 12 months of follow-up, the ASES scale showed an average improvement of 64.6 ± 4.9 at 12 months of follow-up. The presurgical AHI was 6.1 ± 1.10 and the mean at 12 months of follow-up was 7.1 ± 0.9. Clinical and radiographic improvement was observed at all scales, however no statistically significant results were found.

Conclusion:

The subacromial balloon prevents the ascent of the humeral head in the first 12 months of placement; we assume that it could restore normal glenohumeral kinematics by improving mobility and decreasing pain.