Trends in rotator cuff surgery: Research through the decades

Arthroscopic Repair of a High-Grade Partial Articular-Sided Subscapularis Tendon Tear Without Bursal-Sided Tendon Overtension

“…A growing trend in arthroscopic repair, according to recent studies. 11 Smaller incisions with less soft-tissue trauma and the ability to visualize the articular side of the subscapularis tendon are advantages of an arthroscopic approach. 3 …”

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the correlation between calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff injury

“…The most common cause of RCTs is tendon degeneration [ 11 , 20 ]. Tendon degeneration is prevalent in patients with RCTs, and it is related to the reduction of tendon vessels [ 21 ]. In the rotator cuff, a relatively avascular region is called the avascular critical zone, a common site for the development of rotator cuff degeneration and tears [ 21 , 22 ] and is also considered a common site for the development of rotator cuff calcification [ 21 ].…”

“…However, as patients age, the incidence of degenerative RCTs increases, too [ 24 ]. CaT can be observed, not only in the supraspinatus and subscapular tendon within the “avascular critical zone,” but also in the subscapularis and teres minor tendon outside the “avascular critical zone” [ 21 ]. Although CaT primarily occurs in the “avascular critical zone,” it is not uncommon that CaT affects other areas of the rotator cuff, or its calcification is limited to the deltoid muscle, but no tendon is damaged.…”

Orthopedic surgeon-scientist representation is low among National Institutes of Health grants for rotator cuff research

“…The rising incidence and economic burden of RCTs with an aging population has been met with a corresponding increase in research focus. 14 , 15 , 17 , 34 , 37 , 38 Funding sources for orthopedic research include payments from industry, noncommercial grants, or grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The role of industry in supporting orthopedic research has expanded over time, with up to 39% of published studies reporting a conflict of interest.…”