Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear

Background: Massive rotator cuff tears, defined as those that involved 2 or more tendons or where the length of the greatest diameter is greater than 5 cm, present a unique surgical challenge as there can be significant scarring, retraction, and poor tissue quality. Furthermore, healing of these tea...

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Main Authors: Stephen Marcaccio MD, Rafael Buerba MD/MHS, Justin Arner MD, James Bradley MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-06-01
Series:Video Journal of Sports Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254241229101
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author Stephen Marcaccio MD
Rafael Buerba MD/MHS
Justin Arner MD
James Bradley MD
author_facet Stephen Marcaccio MD
Rafael Buerba MD/MHS
Justin Arner MD
James Bradley MD
author_sort Stephen Marcaccio MD
collection DOAJ
description Background: Massive rotator cuff tears, defined as those that involved 2 or more tendons or where the length of the greatest diameter is greater than 5 cm, present a unique surgical challenge as there can be significant scarring, retraction, and poor tissue quality. Furthermore, healing of these tears is less reliable. This video presents our technique for anatomic, double row repair of a massive reparable rotator cuff tear. Indications: Indications for operative intervention include acute traumatic tears, as well as patients with pain and weakness who have failed to respond to conservative management, including physical therapy with confirmed large full thickness rotator cuff tear on advanced imaging. Of note, findings such as glenohumeral osteoarthritis, advanced muscle atrophy (Goutalier III/IV), superior migration of the humeral head >7 mm, and tears larger than 40 mm in length and width are concerning for irreparable tears, and may represent contraindications to surgical repair. Technique Description: The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position. After diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, a subacromial bursectomy is performed. A radiofrequency probe and arthroscopic shaver are used to perform releases in the subacromial space as well as superior to the glenoid. Preparation of the footprint of the humeral head is then performed to create a good healing surface. The rotator cuff is grasped to confirm tension free mobilization. The medial row anchors are then placed. Once placed, the sutures are incorporated into 2 lateral row anchors in sequential fashion. Subacromial decompression is then performed. Results: Reduced pain and improved shoulder function are the goals of treatment, with sling immobilization lasting for roughly 6 weeks postoperatively prior to initiating strengthening and range of motion protocols. Discussion/Conclusion: Arthroscopic double row repair produces an anatomic and stable reduction of reparable massive rotator cuff tears for patients that have failed conservative management. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.
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spelling doaj-art-286f7a90d6734b47bbdf92db0f51e1652025-08-20T02:55:49ZengSAGE PublishingVideo Journal of Sports Medicine2635-02542024-06-01410.1177/26350254241229101Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff TearStephen Marcaccio MD0Rafael Buerba MD/MHS1Justin Arner MD2James Bradley MD3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USABackground: Massive rotator cuff tears, defined as those that involved 2 or more tendons or where the length of the greatest diameter is greater than 5 cm, present a unique surgical challenge as there can be significant scarring, retraction, and poor tissue quality. Furthermore, healing of these tears is less reliable. This video presents our technique for anatomic, double row repair of a massive reparable rotator cuff tear. Indications: Indications for operative intervention include acute traumatic tears, as well as patients with pain and weakness who have failed to respond to conservative management, including physical therapy with confirmed large full thickness rotator cuff tear on advanced imaging. Of note, findings such as glenohumeral osteoarthritis, advanced muscle atrophy (Goutalier III/IV), superior migration of the humeral head >7 mm, and tears larger than 40 mm in length and width are concerning for irreparable tears, and may represent contraindications to surgical repair. Technique Description: The patient is placed in the lateral decubitus position. After diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, a subacromial bursectomy is performed. A radiofrequency probe and arthroscopic shaver are used to perform releases in the subacromial space as well as superior to the glenoid. Preparation of the footprint of the humeral head is then performed to create a good healing surface. The rotator cuff is grasped to confirm tension free mobilization. The medial row anchors are then placed. Once placed, the sutures are incorporated into 2 lateral row anchors in sequential fashion. Subacromial decompression is then performed. Results: Reduced pain and improved shoulder function are the goals of treatment, with sling immobilization lasting for roughly 6 weeks postoperatively prior to initiating strengthening and range of motion protocols. Discussion/Conclusion: Arthroscopic double row repair produces an anatomic and stable reduction of reparable massive rotator cuff tears for patients that have failed conservative management. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254241229101
spellingShingle Stephen Marcaccio MD
Rafael Buerba MD/MHS
Justin Arner MD
James Bradley MD
Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
Video Journal of Sports Medicine
title Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
title_full Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
title_fullStr Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
title_full_unstemmed Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
title_short Double Row Rotator Cuff Repair for Massive Reparable Rotator Cuff Tear
title_sort double row rotator cuff repair for massive reparable rotator cuff tear
url https://doi.org/10.1177/26350254241229101
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