Open rotator cuff repair

Abstract

Recent studies and advances in the treatment of rotator cuff tears have focused on factors that may or may not influence healing of the rotator cuff with surgical treatment. These advances include the use of sophisticated arthroscopic repair techniques and biologics in the setting of surgical rotator cuff repair. Additional studies have examined the role of postoperative physical therapy in relationship to rotator cuff healing and clinical improvements after rotator cuff surgery. Although many of the current studies include surgical treatment of the rotator cuff with arthroscopic techniques, all of the advances can be applied in the setting of open and mini-open repair techniques. Despite the current enthusiasm for arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery, there is no compelling data to suggest that clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, in general, are significantly improved over open repair techniques. Moreover, it has been well documented that arthroscopic repairs are more costly and more time consuming than mini-open techniques. Nonetheless, recent trends have documented a gradual progression away from open rotator cuff repair in favor of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.