Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear Treated With Combined Reconstruction of the Superior Capsule and Rotator Cuff: Technique Guidelines

Jan Pieter Hommen; John J Heifner; Philip A Sakalian; Gagan Grewal; Jorge Benito

doi:10.1016/j.eats.2023.02.034

Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tear Treated With Combined Reconstruction of the Superior Capsule and Rotator Cuff: Technique Guidelines

Arthrosc Tech. 2023 May 29;12(6):e965-e973. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2023.02.034. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Jan Pieter Hommen¹, John J Heifner², Philip A Sakalian¹, Gagan Grewal¹, Jorge Benito¹

Affiliations

¹ Larkin Hospital Department of Orthopaedics, Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.A.
² Miami Orthopaedic Research Foundation, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.

Abstract

Irreparable rotator cuff tears in young patients can be challenging for the patient and orthopaedic surgeon. Interposition rotator cuff reconstruction has gained popularity in patients with retracted tears and a viable rotator cuff muscle belly. Superior capsular reconstruction is an emerging treatment option that was developed to restore native glenohumeral joint mechanics by creating a superior constraint, which provides a stable glenohumeral fulcrum. Reconstructing both the superior capsule and rotator cuff tendon in the setting of an irreparable tear may improve clinical results in younger patients with viable rotator cuff muscle belly and a maintained acceptable acromiohumeral distance.