SPORTS MEDICINE 

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2013 December;64(6):535-46

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Recent advances in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears

Balke M., Banerjee M. ✉

Trauma, Orthopedics and Sports Traumatology Cologne Merheim Medical Center University of Witten/Herdecke, Cologne, Germany

The present article aims to give an overview of the current surgical techniques for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Depending on the affected tendons and the size of the tear several methods of refixation are available. In articular sided partial tears of the supraspinatus tendon a transtendinous repair of the tendon can be performed with good clinical outcomes. In complete tears of the superior and posterosuperior cuff single and double-row techniques are available. Despite the promising biomechanical properties of double-row techniques the respective clinical results are not superior to a single-row technique with a modified suture configuration. Whereas tears of the subscapularis tendon have long been thought to be only repairable in an open surgery the results of arthroscopic refixation especially of the cranial part of the tendon are promising. Biological augmentation of rotator cuff repairs with platelet-rich plasma was not able to increase the healing rate so far.