Interpositional Balloon: A New Frontier

The best treatment approach for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears is a complex and unsolved clinical problem. There are a variety of surgical options described in the literature and debate on the ideal treatment approach depending on the patient's shoulder pathology, preoperative function, postoperative goals, and medical co-morbidities. The subacromial balloon spacer is an innovative device, recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that can provide pain relief, reduced operative and postoperative recovery time, and has biomechanical as well as early clinical support for its use. This review will uncover the subacromial balloon spacer technology in a comprehensive fashion. We will evaluate the biomechanical data and mechanism of function, current surgical indications, intraoperative techniques, early patient outcomes, and potential avenues for future utilization.