Biomechanical analysis of the interval slide procedure: a fresh porcine cadaver study

Abstract

Introduction: The interval slide procedure (IS) has been introduced to improve mobility in massive, retracted rotator cuff tears. As clinical studies showed controversial results, the benefit of the IS is still widely discussed.

Aim: Aim of this study was to analyze the effect of IS procedure on tendon mobility in a fresh porcine cadaver model.

Materials and methods: In 30 fresh porcine cadaver shoulders with artificial supraspinatus defect tendon mobility was tested by measuring the load (in N) during tendon reduction to the footprint at the greater tubercle using a sensor enhanced arthroscopic grasper (t1). In intervention group (N = 15) anterior IS (t2), posterior IS (t3) and intraarticular capsule release (t4) were successively performed, each followed by tendon mobility assessment. Tendon mobility of the control group (N = 15) was measured in same time schedule without intervention.

Results: Mobility did not differ between groups for native tendons (CG 28.0 ± 11.2 N vs. IG 26.6 ± 11.6 N; P = 0.75). IS procedure significantly improves mobility at about 25.2% (t1 26.6 ± 11.6 N vs. t4 19.9 ± 12.3 N; P < 0.001) compared to the native tendon and 34.1% compared to CG (CG 30.2 ± 13.7 N vs. 19.9 ± 12.3 N; P = 0.026). In posthoc analyzes, anterior IS (P < 0.001) and capsule release (P = 0.005) significantly increased mobility, whereas the posterior IS did not (P = 0.778).

Conclusion: The IS procedure results in increased supraspinatus tendon mobility in fresh porcine cadaver shoulders. However, performing the posterior IS subsequent to the anterior IS no significant improvement of mobility has been observed.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Capsule release; Mobility; Reconstruction; Rotator cuff; Tendon.