Editorial Commentary: Monitoring Tendon and Muscle Recovery After Rotator Cuff Repair Using Diagnostic Ultrasound Demonstrates that Early Repair is Beneficial for Many Patients With Reparable Tears

Abstract

Rotator cuff repair is performed to effect healing of the enthesis; to restore shoulder comfort, strength, and function; to prevent tear propagation; and to prevent progression of atrophic muscle changes (fatty degeneration, fatty infiltration, and fatty atrophy) that eventually occur. Non-retracted and moderately retracted rotator cuff tears usually heal after repair, and muscle atrophy may recover over time. It follows that early rotator cuff repair is beneficial for many patients with chronic but reparable rotator cuff tears. Diagnostic ultrasound can provide quantitative information about the recovery of both muscle and tendon and represents a viable alternative to magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating healing after rotator cuff repair.

Reconstruction of the Anterior Tibialis Tendon Using In-phase Tendon Transfers

“…It does not return to normal strength or girth. Several studies [13][14][15][16] of chronic rotator cuff and Achilles tendon tears have demonstrated how this fatty atrophy is a risk factor for failure of primary repair.…”