All-arthroscopic patch augmentation of a massive rotator cuff tear: surgical technique

Arthrosc Tech. 2013 Nov 1;2(4):e447-51. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2013.07.003. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Surgical management of massive rotator cuff tears remains challenging, with failure rates ranging from 20% to 90%. Multiple different arthroscopic and open techniques have been described, but there is no current gold standard. Failure after rotator cuff repair is typically multifactorial; however, failure of tendon-footprint healing is often implicated. Patch augmentation has been described as a possible technique to augment the biology of rotator cuff repair in situations of compromised tendon quality and has shown promising short-term results. The purpose of this article is to describe our preferred surgical technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with patch augmentation.