BACKGROUND: After rotator cuff repair, some surgeons use abduction pillows to unload or protect the repair construct, while others do not. QUESTION/ PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine which type of sling-one with a small or large abduction pillow or one without a pillow-places the repaired rotator cuff in the best position to reduce tension on the supraspinatus. METHODS: An X-ray study was performed on asymptomatic subjects to determine what position the shoulder is placed in when wearing a sling with or without an abduction pillow. Positions were then reproduced in human cadaveric shoulders using a custom-made testing jig, and tension on the repaired supraspinatus was measured. RESULTS: X-rays showed that abduction of the glenohumeral joint with a sling was only 4°, with a sling with a small pillow was 13°, and with a sling with a large abduction pillow was 25°. Placing the cadaveric shoulders in the position of a sling with a small abduction pillow caused a reduction in tension on the supraspinatus of 27% anteriorly and 55% posteriorly compared to placing the shoulder in the position of a sling without an abduction pillow; a large abduction pillow caused a further reduction in tension, of 42% anteriorly and 56% posteriorly. CONCLUSION: These findings show that abduction pillows reduce tension on the repaired supraspinatus tendon.
BACKGROUND: After rotator cuff repair, some surgeons use abduction pillows to unload or protect the repair construct, while others do not. QUESTION/ PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine which type of sling-one with a small or large abduction pillow or one without a pillow-places the repaired rotator cuff in the best position to reduce tension on the supraspinatus. METHODS: An X-ray study was performed on asymptomatic subjects to determine what position the shoulder is placed in when wearing a sling with or without an abduction pillow. Positions were then reproduced in human cadaveric shoulders using a custom-made testing jig, and tension on the repaired supraspinatus was measured. RESULTS: X-rays showed that abduction of the glenohumeral joint with a sling was only 4°, with a sling with a small pillow was 13°, and with a sling with a large abduction pillow was 25°. Placing the cadaveric shoulders in the position of a sling with a small abduction pillow caused a reduction in tension on the supraspinatus of 27% anteriorly and 55% posteriorly compared to placing the shoulder in the position of a sling without an abduction pillow; a large abduction pillow caused a further reduction in tension, of 42% anteriorly and 56% posteriorly. CONCLUSION: These findings show that abduction pillows reduce tension on the repaired supraspinatus tendon.
Authors: Robert A Pedowitz; Ken Yamaguchi; Christopher S Ahmad; Robert T Burks; Evan L Flatow; Andrew Green; Janet L Wies; Justin St Andre; Kevin Boyer; Joseph P Iannotti; Bruce S Miller; Robert Tashjian; William C Watters; Kristy Weber; Charles M Turkelson; Laura Raymond; Patrick Sluka; Richard McGowan Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2012-01-18 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Peter Reilly; Anthony M J Bull; Andrew A Amis; Andrew L Wallace; Andrew Richards; Adam M Hill; Roger J H Emery Journal: J Shoulder Elbow Surg Date: 2004 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 3.019
Authors: Maxwell C Park; Joseph M Pirolo; Chong J Park; James E Tibone; Michelle H McGarry; Thay Q Lee Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2009-05-05 Impact factor: 6.202