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Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hegedus, EJ; Cook, C; Brennan, M; Wyland, D; Garrison, JC; Driesner, D
Published in: Br J Sports Med
September 2010

OBJECTIVE: To compile histological and imaging research detailing the microvascularity of the rotator cuff and determine the clinical application of these findings for clinicians. METHODS: A computer-assisted literature search of MEDLINE (1966 to September 2008) using keywords related to blood flow to the shoulder and limited to humans and English language. A hand search was also performed by three of the authors. RESULTS: Nineteen studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the variables of vascularity, age and degeneration remains unclear. Recent studies with stronger design and better technology support the fact that increased vascularity is a normal response to smaller tears, but that as tear size increases the healing response fails and decreased vascularity is observed. Also, impingement may cause hypovascularity. These studies support the possibility that people without symptoms may have normal blood flow even with ageing. Finally, exercise may increase blood flow to the rotator cuff. These findings have both surgical and rehabilitation implications.

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Published In

Br J Sports Med

DOI

EISSN

1473-0480

Publication Date

September 2010

Volume

44

Issue

12

Start / End Page

838 / 847

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Wound Healing
  • Tendinopathy
  • Sport Sciences
  • Rupture
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Rotator Cuff
  • Microcirculation
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • Arteries
 

Citation

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Hegedus, E. J., Cook, C., Brennan, M., Wyland, D., Garrison, J. C., & Driesner, D. (2010). Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery. Br J Sports Med, 44(12), 838–847. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.053769
Hegedus, E. J., C. Cook, M. Brennan, D. Wyland, J. C. Garrison, and D. Driesner. “Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery.Br J Sports Med 44, no. 12 (September 2010): 838–47. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.053769.
Hegedus EJ, Cook C, Brennan M, Wyland D, Garrison JC, Driesner D. Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;44(12):838–47.
Hegedus, E. J., et al. “Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery.Br J Sports Med, vol. 44, no. 12, Sept. 2010, pp. 838–47. Pubmed, doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.053769.
Hegedus EJ, Cook C, Brennan M, Wyland D, Garrison JC, Driesner D. Vascularity and tendon pathology in the rotator cuff: a review of literature and implications for rehabilitation and surgery. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;44(12):838–847.

Published In

Br J Sports Med

DOI

EISSN

1473-0480

Publication Date

September 2010

Volume

44

Issue

12

Start / End Page

838 / 847

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Wound Healing
  • Tendinopathy
  • Sport Sciences
  • Rupture
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Rotator Cuff
  • Microcirculation
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • Arteries