Abstract
A massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear represents a challenging treatment scenario with respect to surgical intervention. Traditionally, surgical options have included reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or rotator cuff repair; however, these techniques may not necessarily restore proper anatomy to the superior capsule, a structure implicated in the maintenance of subacromial contact pressures and the prevention of superior glenohumeral translation. Indications for arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction include massive, irreparable supraspinatus and/or infraspinatus tears and failure of conservative treatment beyond subjective pain thresholds and dysfunction tolerability. Adequate latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, and deltoid function helps to ensure the appropriate level of shoulder stability and the ability to complete the necessary rehabilitation protocol. The current surgical guide details the clinical evaluation, surgical technique, and rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction for a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear involving the subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus. The procedure is performed arthroscopically with the patient in a beach-chair position, starting first with anterior and lateral portal placement for comprehensive diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy assessing rotator cuff damage. Single-row suture repair of the subscapularis and infraspinatus is performed, followed by concomitant subacromial bursectomy, decompression, and coracoplasty to aid in visualization, avoid graft abrasion, and provide access to marrow elements. Suture anchor placement, allograft fixation, and appropriate suture management are highlighted, as well as rehabilitation timelines, complications, and clinical pearls.
Published outcomes of this procedure can be found at: Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2016 Jul-Aug;45(5):320-4, Am J Sports Med. 2016 Jun;44(6):1423-30, and Arthroscopy. 2016 Dec;32(12):2628-37.
Investigation performed at the Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
Disclosure: The authors indicated that no external funding was received for any aspect of this work. On the Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms, which are provided with the online version of the article, one or more of the authors checked “yes” to indicate that the author had a relevant financial relationship in the biomedical arena outside the submitted work; “yes” to indicate that the author had a patent and/or copyright, planned, pending, or issued, broadly relevant to this work; and “yes” to indicate that the author had other relationships or activities that could be perceived to influence, or have the potential to influence, what was written in this work (http://links.lww.com/JBJSEST/A300).
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