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HSS Journal ®
Published in: HSS Journal ® 2/2018

01-07-2018 | Original Article

Effects of Abduction Pillows on Rotator Cuff Repair: A Biomechanical Analysis

Authors: Jacqueline R. Hawthorne, MD, Elise M. Carpenter, MD, Patrick H. Lam, PhD, George A. C. Murrell, MD, DPhil

Published in: HSS Journal ® | Issue 2/2018

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Abstract

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.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Effects of Abduction Pillows on Rotator Cuff Repair: A Biomechanical Analysis
Authors
Jacqueline R. Hawthorne, MD
Elise M. Carpenter, MD
Patrick H. Lam, PhD
George A. C. Murrell, MD, DPhil
Publication date
01-07-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
HSS Journal ® / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1556-3316
Electronic ISSN: 1556-3324
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-017-9592-2

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