The high retear rates after surgery for irreparable rotator cuff tears can be explained by the healing capacity potential of tendons and the native rotator cuff enthesis characterised by complex morphological structures, called direct insertion. Many experimental researches have focused on biologically augmenting the rotator cuff reconstruction and improving tendon-bone healing of the rotator c...

CONTEXT Despite the significant attention directed toward optimizing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, there has been less focus on rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair surgery. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of different rehabilitation protocols on clinical outcomes by comparing early versus late mobilization approaches and continuous passive mobilization (CPM) versus manual therapy a...

Ultrasound is gradually achieving more acceptance by orthopaedic surgeons as a diagnostic imaging tool for rotator cuff and biceps tendon pathology. Two hundred and ten patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were examined clinically and with ultrasound at early (3 weeks) and late follow-up (average 22 months; range: 12 to 49). A high correlation between clinically intact cuffs and sono...

The rotator cuff musculature imparts dynamic stability to the glenohumeral joint. In particular, the balance between the subscapularis anteriorly and the infraspinatus posteriorly, often referred to as the rotator cuff "force couple," is critical for concavity compression and concentric rotation of the humeral head. Restoration of this anterior-posterior force balance after chronic, massive rot...

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...

UNLABELLED Rotator cuff tears lead to debilitating shoulder dysfunction and impairment. The goal of rotator cuff repair is to eliminate pain and improve function with increased shoulder strength and range of motion. The clinical outcomes of the surgical methods of rotator cuff repair (open, mini-open, and all-arthroscopic cuff repair) vary, as each method provides an array of advantages and dis...

Rotator cuff repairs are the most common procedures in shoulder surgery, but still show long-term retear rates of up to 70%. Nonanatomic reconstruction is one possible cause of repair failure. The rotator cuff histologically consists of 5 separate layers of which 2 are macroscopically identifiable: the superior or tendinous layer and the inferior or capsule-ligamentous layer. In case of rotator...

BACKGROUND Rotator cuff tears are a significant cause of shoulder morbidity. Surgical techniques for repair have evolved to optimize the biologic and mechanical variables critical to tendon healing. Double-row repairs have demonstrated superior biomechanical advantages to a single-row. METHODS The preferred technique for rotator cuff repair of the senior author was reviewed and described in a...

BACKGROUND There is debate as to whether to operate or to defer surgery on patients with concomitant rotator cuff tear and shoulder stiffness. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare the outcomes in those patients who had both their rotator cuff tear and shoulder stiffness treated with the outcomes of patients who had a rotator cuff repair but no stiffness. METHODS Twenty-five pati...

Rotator cuff tear size has an important effect on clinical outcomes after repair. Management options for massive rotator cuff tears are numerous, and selection of the most appropriate treatment method for individual patients can be a challenge. An understanding of the pathomechanics, treatment, and clinical outcomes in patients with massive rotator cuff tears can serve as a guide for clinical d...