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01-09-2014 | Original Article

Increased blood flow in the anterior humeral circumflex artery correlates with night pain in patients with rotator cuff tear

Authors: Nobuo Terabayashi, Tsuneo Watanabe, Kazu Matsumoto, Iori Takigami, Yoshiki Ito, Masashi Fukuta, Haruhiko Akiyama, Katsuji Shimizu

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science | Issue 5/2014

Abstract

Background

Night pain is a particularly vexing symptom in patients with rotator cuff tear. It disturbs sleep and decreases quality of life, and there is no consensus regarding its etiology. Based on arthroscopic surgical observations of synovitis around the rotator interval or capsule surface in rotator cuff tear, we hypothesized that blood flow from the artery feeding the capsule increases blood supply to the synovium. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood flow and night pain using pulse Doppler ultrasonography.

Methods

A series of 47 consecutive patients with rotator cuff tear was evaluated. The peak systolic velocity and resistance index of blood flow in the ascending branch of the anterior humeral circumflex artery were evaluated using pulse Doppler ultrasonography. We also investigated 20 normal shoulders in healthy volunteers. The peak systolic velocity and resistance index were compared between affected and unaffected sides in patients and between dominant and nondominant sides in controls.

Results

Anterior humeral circumflex artery peak systolic velocity and resistance index did not differ between sides in control subjects or in patients with rotator cuff tear without night pain. However, anterior humeral circumflex artery peak systolic velocity and resistance index did differ significantly between sides in patients with rotator cuff tear with night pain.

Conclusions

This study revealed anterior humeral circumflex artery hemodynamics in patients with rotator cuff tear and normal subjects using Doppler ultrasonography. Night pain, particularly involving aching, appears to be related to the hemodynamics. These findings suggest that investigating the hemodynamics of patients with rotator cuff tear with night pain may lead to greater understanding of the etiology of this symptom.

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Title: Increased blood flow in the anterior humeral circumflex artery correlates with night pain in patients with rotator cuff tear
Authors: Nobuo Terabayashi
Tsuneo Watanabe
Kazu Matsumoto
Iori Takigami
Yoshiki Ito
Masashi Fukuta
Haruhiko Akiyama
Katsuji Shimizu
Publication date: 01-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Science / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0949-2658
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0604-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Increased blood flow in the anterior humeral circumflex artery correlates with night pain in patients with rotator cuff tear

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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