Subscapularis is the most powerful muscle in the rotator cuff. A steep learning curve and constrained space anteriorly make the repair difficult. In massive tears of the rotator cuff, repair of the subscapularis initially makes the massive supraspinatus tear repairable. We present our technique to repair subscapularis and supraspinatus tear by double-row anchors in a knotless and tension-free m...

BACKGROUND Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is a recent concept that enables good functional outcomes in cases of massive rotator cuff tear and cuff tear arthropathy. Design parameters influence the functional results and complications. The purpose of this study is to present the results of a novel RSA, the Total Evolutive Shoulder System (TESS; Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA), based on a rev...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of aortic arch calcification, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis, with rotator cuff tendinosis and tears given the hypothesis that decreased tendon vascularity is a contributing factor in the etiology of tendon degeneration. A retrospective review was performed to identify patients ages 50 to 90 years who had a shoulder MRI and a c...

BACKGROUND Microvascular blood flow in the tendon plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rotator cuff abnormalities. There are conflicting views about the presence of a hypovascular zone in the supraspinatus tendon. Besides, no studies have looked at the pattern of blood flow around a partial-thickness tear. Our aim was to measure microvascular blood flow in normal and a range of pathol...

The subacromial bursa is recognized as a site associated with the shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease in the middle-aged and elderly. Substance P is contained in primary afferent nerves, and its quantity increases during chronic pain. The amount of substance P in the subacromial bursa of patients with rotator cuff disease was examined. Radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry were emp...

Shoulder arthroscopy is a promising tool for assessing and treating patients with a rotator cuff tear. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with suture anchor fixation such as the single-row, double-row, and suture bridge technique are popular procedures that can provide excellent clinical outcomes. On the other hand, longitudinal midsubstance, U-shape, or L-shape tears may benefit more from a side...

We report the case of a 70-year-old male with Parkinson's disease (PD) and recurrent traumatic left shoulder dislocations. This case is rare because (1) he had a massive irreparable rotator cuff tear and end-stage arthritis (i.e., rotator cuff-tear arthropathy) of the same shoulder and (2) his shoulder was ultimately reconstructed with a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). His first dis...

BACKGROUND The substantial increase in the utilization of shoulder arthroplasty in the United States during the past decade is partly attributable to the growing acceptance of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). This study compared the national utilization of and indications for shoulder hemiarthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and RSA. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was...

Massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears are challenging to treat and associated with pain and severe limitation in shoulder elevation due to the proximal migration of the humeral head and, consequently, subacromial impingement. Furthermore, retraction of the tendons in combination with fat infiltration and muscular weakness results in unpredictable treatment outcomes. While conservative treatme...

Volume 7 • Number 1 of 2 • 2001 Orthopedic Special Edition 25 R otator cuff tears can be effectively treated with acromioplasty and stable repair of the tendon to the tuberosity of the humerus. Rotator cuff surgery reliably decreases pain, and improves motion and function as well as the general health status of the patient. The operative approach for rotator cuff repairs has evolved from the cl...