Recently, retear rate after repair for massive cuff tear have been improved through devised suture techniques. However, reported retear rate is relevant to preoperative atrophy and fatty degeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preoperative atrophy and fatty degeneration of rotator cuff muscles improve by successful repair. Twenty-four patients with massive rotator cuf...

The management of irreparable rotator cuff tears associated with osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint has long been challenging. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) was designed to provide pain relief and improve shoulder function in patients with severe rotator cuff tear arthropathy. While this procedure has been known to reduce pain, improve strength and increase range of motion in ...

BACKGROUND Irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears are treated in several ways. Transfer of the latissimus dorsi is an alternative with acceptable mid-term results, but long-term results have rarely been published. METHODS The cases of 108 consecutive patients with 115 shoulders treated with latissimus dorsi transfer between 2000 and 2005 were reviewed clinically and radiographically. ...

BACKGROUND Hemiarthroplasty (humeral head replacement [HHR]) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are surgical options for cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). RSA may provide better pain relief and functional outcomes, but it costs more and may have a higher complication rate. The goal of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of these two treatments and to use sensitivity analysis to det...

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a reliable option for symptomatic patients who have failed conservative treatments. Limited evidence exists regarding early rehabilitation time points (less than 1 year) and the influence of tear size. The authors sought to determine whether a difference exists in pre- and postoperative range of motion among small, medium, and large isolated rotator cuff tear...

Eighty-six reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) cases performed through a deltopectoral (DP) approach were reviewed at an average of 17.2 months after surgery. All procedures were performed by 2 fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons who perform a high volume of shoulder arthroplasty. We describe the surgical technique for the DP approach for primary and revision RSA, preliminary results, intraope...

PURPOSE To compare preoperative non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with arthroscopy findings in diagnosing labral and rotator cuff tears. METHODS 86 men and 60 women aged 21 to 70 (mean, 52) years underwent non-contrast MRI before arthroscopic operations on the glenohumeral joint. Slices were made in a transverse, parasagittal, and paracoronar orientation. The sequences used were T...

BACKGROUND Structural characteristics of rotator cuff tears are used in surgical decision making. However, data on the association of tear size with patient-reported pain and function are sparse. PURPOSE To assess the association of tear size, fatty infiltration, and muscle atrophy with shoulder pain/function in patients with cuff tears undergoing operative and nonoperative treatment. STUDY...

BACKGROUND After reinsertion on the humerus, the rotator cuff has limited ability to heal. Growth factor augmentation has been proposed to enhance healing in such procedure. PURPOSE This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of growth factor augmentation during rotator cuff repair. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS Eighty-eight patient...

Spontaneous fractures of the scapula are rare, especially those involving the scapular spine. There are only a few case reports addressing this topic. Two cases are presented of spontaneous scapular spine fractures in patients with cuff-tear arthropathy. Treatment was conservative, resulting in a stiff shoulder in both patients. The combination of oral steroids and cuff-tear arthropathy seems t...