Failed rotator cuff repair may be caused by surgical complications, diagnostic errors, technical errors, failure to heal, and traumatic failure. Revision rotator cuff repair is made technically more difficult by poor tissue quality, tissue adhesions, and retained suture and suture anchor material. Historically, open revision rotator cuff repair yields inferior results compared with primary rota...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MRI, MR arthrography, and ultrasound for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears through a meta-analysis of the studies in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS Articles reporting the sensitivities and specificities of MRI, MR arthrography, or ultrasound for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears were identified. Surgical ...

In this retrospective study, a latissimus dorsi transfer as first described by Gerber in 1988 was performed in 12 patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. Their average age was 59 years and the preliminary results are reported here after an average follow-up of 39 months. In 50% of the patients there was no pain and 41% had mild to moderate pain at follow-up. Functional Constant s...

Introduction Historically, subscapularis tears were thought to be very low in prevalence. However, arthroscopic studies in patients with rotator cuff pathology have shown the prevalence to be between 27 and 43%. Subscapularis tears have been reported to be associated with rotator cuff pathology in 27 to 35% of cases. As subscapularis tears are now being recognized to be more common than previou...

Rotator cuff disease can be related to a number of factors that include degenerative, vascular, traumatic and mechanical causes. The most common cause of rotator cuff pathology is primary degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons with wear and aging. External and internal impingement, microinstability of the shoulder, trauma, overuse associated with athletic and occupational activities, underlyi...

Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) represents a spectrum of pathology ranging from subacromial bursitis to rotator cuff tendinopathy and full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The relationship between subacromial impingement and rotator cuff disease in the etiology of rotator cuff injury is a matter of debate. Both extrinsic compression and intrinsic degeneration may play a role. Management inc...

Understanding the anatomy of the rotator cuff and the surrounding structures that influence its function is essential to treating rotator cuff disease. During the past decade, advances in basic science and surgical technology have improved our knowledge of this anatomy. This review article presents the current concepts on rotator cuff anatomy and how they should be used in the surgical manageme...

Traditional methods of open and mini-open rotator cuff repairs have shown excellent results in shortand medium-term follow-up and remain viable methods of treating rotator cuff pathology. A trend toward the arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears continues, however, and will probably accelerate as the next generation of surgeons is trained in arthroscopic treatment methods. The purpose of thi...

INTRODUCTION Massive rotator cuff tears may be present in patients with minimal pain and good function, or in patients with significant pain and disability.5,6,14,26 In the latter case, arthroscopic repair, either partial or complete, has been demonstrated to improve function.3,11,20,21 The mechanism of recovery is believed to be associated with an improved rotator cuff function due to at least...