Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma logoLink to Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma
. 2021 Apr 7;18:6–12. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.03.019

Management of rotator cuff tears - Key historical landmarks

John R Adam a,∗, Shashi KT Nanjayan a, Puneet Monga b
PMCID: PMC8080522  PMID: 33954084

Abstract

The management of rotator cuff pathology has developed over hundreds of years. In this article, we take a journey from the early days, in order to understand how we have reached our modern-day practice. Initially our understanding of rotator cuff pathology was based on cadaveric anatomical findings and this has enhanced over the years by the development of radiological and surgical techniques. We discuss the historical debates over the pathogenesis of cuff dysfunction. This work describes the landmark publications by several clinicians who have made important contributions to our understanding of rotator cuff pathology and its management. We follow the trends of surgical management of rotator cuff tears, traditionally performed via an open technique, to an exponential rise in arthroscopic surgery in recent years. As new techniques emerge, a review of the historical rise and fall of techniques is a reminder for us to remain vigilant of surgical indications and rigorous outcome analysis.

Keywords: History, Landmarks, Management, Rotator cuff surgery

1. Introduction

Modern day rotator cuff surgery concepts and techniques have arisen from hundreds of years of evolution. The rotator cuff plays a key role in the biomechanics of the shoulder, hence as it begins to falter, it may cause significant dysfunction and potentially place the joint on the path towards cuff arthropathy. Over the years, many theories have been put forward regarding the underlying causes of pathology with an array of surgical management options. This review article takes us on a journey from the early days and how historical events have shaped our current day practice.

2. Pre-radiology descriptions

The first description and illustration of a rotator cuff tear was that depicted by Alexander Monro in his 1788 book “A description of all the Bursae Mucosae of the human body” (Fig. 1).1, 2

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Open in a new tab

Illustration appears to show a supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear being probed. Republished with permission of: John Wiley and Sons, British Journal of Surgery, from “Ruptures of the rotator cuff”, H.F. Moseley, Volume 38, Issue 151, p 340–369, Copyright © 2005 (Initial publication 1951). Permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.2

It was nearly a further half-century before there was any further publication regarding rotator cuff tears. John G. Smith, an anatomist at the Huntarian theatre, London, published a series of rotator cuff tears in the London Medical Gazette in 1834.3 He described seven cases of torn rotator cuff tendons, in five cadavers, which he theorised were due to shoulder dislocations, with the direction of the dislocation playing a key role. The pathological descriptions are detailed, with cases including partial and full thickness tears, as well as the observation of bursal inflammation.

In 1867, a French anatomist and surgeon, Jean-Francois Jarjavay, was the first to describe the pathology of subacromial bursitis.4 He reported on four cases of shoulder pain with a reduced range of motion. In 1868, Heineke also reported on subacromial bursitis and expanded on this pathology.5 The first reported rotator cuff repair probably dates back to 1870, when Karl Hüter performed a cuff repair to the humeral diaphysis, following a humeral head resection in chronic dislocation.6 The role of trauma in rotator cuff tears was brought to light by Franz Freiherr von Pitha, who worked at the university of Prague, as the head of the surgical department.7 He described the occurrence of a rotator cuff tear following a shoulder dislocation in 1864.8 He also described the detailed anatomy of the short rotators in 1884.9

In 1872, a French surgeon, Simon Emmanuel Duplay, described cases involving a painful shoulder with associated stiffness, following trauma.10 This was termed “periarthritis humeroscapularis”. He believed that the underlying pathology originated from the bursa with subacromial adhesions. He did not find any tear of the rotator cuff. It is likely that the majority of these cases that he reported on would nowadays be diagnosed as post-traumatic stiffness.

3. The radiology era

An important moment in history, not only for shoulder surgery, but for all aspects of medicine, was the discovery of X-rays. Wilhelm Roentgen, a German scientist, made the discovery on 8th November 1895.11 This allowed pathology to be studied in another dimension, that had not existed before. In 1907, C.F. Painter was the first to describe the radiographic finding of shoulder calcification, between the acromion and greater tuberosity. He postulated that this calcification was in the bursa.12 Stieda13 and Bergemann14 were also in agreement with Painter’s theory. These new findings were termed “bursitis calcarea subacromialis” or “subdeltoidea”. When surgical excision of the deposits became popular, it was noted that these calcifications were actually within the rotator cuff tendon, rather than the bursa. In 1912, Wrede15 gave a description of the pathological findings in the tendon: “The cells resemble more and more chondrocytes, meanwhile the fibre arrangement of the tendon is lost”.

4. Aetiology of rotator cuff tears

The exact cause of rotator cuff tears remains unresolved even today, although there are multiple factors that are likely to contribute. In 1924, Meyer put forward his theory of attrition.16 Codman emphasised the role of trauma but also argued that it is likely that “many causes or combinations of causes may produce the same lesion”.17 Lindblom was opposed to the attrition theory.18 An argument he made was that he observed ruptures in the non-dominant shoulder, with no pathology of the dominant side, which would go against wear as an underlying cause. He made the observation that a rupture does not occur before the age of 30–40 years and that ageing leads to sclerosing of the tendon.

The story of rotator cuff tear pathology has progressed over the years and theories put forward can broadly be divided into extrinsic and intrinsic. In 1972, Neer introduced the concept of rotator cuff impingement syndrome,19 as an extrinsic cause of rotator cuff tears. He performed a cadaveric study and reported mechanical impingement in 11 of 100 specimens and noted a “characteristic ridge of proliferative spurs” on the undersurface of the acromion’s anterior edge. In 1983, Neer also described 3 stages of impingement.20 Stage I is characterised by oedema and haemorrhage, typically found in patients <25 years old. Stage II changes are irreversible, with fibrosis and tendinitis of the cuff, typically found in patients aged 25–40 years old. Stage III is characterised by chronic changes of partial or complete cuff tears, seen in patients >40 years old. Bigliani added to the extrinsic theory, putting forward that acromion morphology was linked to development of a cuff tear.21 He described three types of acromial morphology (Fig. 2): Type I (flat undersurface), Type II (curved) and Type III (hooked) and linked these subdivisions to the varying prevalence of cuff tears. A further study in 2000 found that Type I acromions tended to respond well to conservative management, whilst the majority of type III acromions required surgical intervention.22

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Open in a new tab

Bigliani’s classification of acromion undersurface with corresponding supraspinatus outlet view radiograph. Reprinted from: Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology, Volume 2, Issue 1, V. Pandey and W.J. Willems, Rotator cuff tear: A detailed update, p1-14, Copyright © 2015, with permission from Elsevier.23

The intrinsic theory of cuff tears has become more popular in recent years. Based on the extrinsic theory, one would expect that bursal sided tears are the most common, but this hasn’t been found to be the case. In 1987, Yamanaka and Fukuda24 reviewed 249 supraspinatus cadaveric specimens. 33 had incomplete thickness tears, of which 6 were bursal-sided, 18 intra-tendinous and 9 articular-sided. Theories relating to intrinsic causes can be subcategorised as age-related, vascular and biomechanical. In 1999, Tempelhof et al.25 looked at the prevalence of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic shoulders. This included 411 volunteers. Increasing age was associated with a higher chance of having a tear. In the 50–59 years group 13% had tears, whilst in the >80 years group, this rose to 51%. These findings suggest that there is an age-related degeneration of the cuff. Lohr and Uthoff26 investigated the microvascular pattern of the supraspinatus tendon. They confirmed the presence of a hypo-vascular critical zone close to the supraspinatus insertion. Also, they found a uniformly sparse vascular distribution on the articular side, with the bursal side being well vascularised. Nakajima et al.27 studied the biomechanical characteristics of the rotator cuff in cadaveric specimens. The bursal-side of the tendon was found to be less stiff and had a twice the ultimate tensile strength than the articular-side of the tendon. Furthermore, histological assessment revealed that at 2 mm from insertion, the bursal-side contained the most compact portion of tendon bundles, whilst the articular-side had thin transverse fibres, with the largest inter-fibrillar spaces.

5. Physiology of the rotator cuff

Saha28, 29, 30 discusses the physiology of the rotator cuff, including the dynamic nature of its function. He explains that the “glenohumeral joint is not a static fulcrum”. The articular surface not only rotates but also rolls/glides with movement, both in the horizontal and vertical planes. When the shoulder is abducting, the power of infraspinatus and subscapularis increases from 60 to 150°. From 150 to 180°, subscapularis power declines whilst infraspinatus continues to rise. Furthermore, Saha discusses functional restoration in post-Polio paralysis, which enhances our understanding of the role of the rotator cuff.31 He subdivides muscles moving the glenohumeral joint into ‘Prime movers’, ‘Steering group’ and the ‘Depressor group’. The ‘Prime movers’ are deltoid and the clavicular head of pectoralis major, which provide power in lifting. The ‘Steering group’ represents the rotator cuff muscles, which “steer and fix the head of the humerus” with movement. The ‘Depressor group’ includes latissimus dorsi, teres minor and teres major, which rotate the shaft of humerus during elevation.

6. Early advancements in surgical management

Over 30 years on from the first cuff repair by Karl Hüter, George Clemens Von Perthes led to a further key development in rotator cuff surgery in 1906. He carried out three rotator cuff repairs using suture anchors, with cat gut sutures.32 This innovation has shaped modern practice, by providing a method for reattachment of tendon to bone.

A legendary figure who influenced the future of shoulder surgery was Ernest Amory Codman (1869–1940).33 He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and went on to graduate from Harvard medical school in 1895. In the USA, Codman was the first to describe the surgical technique to repair supraspinatus tears, in his landmark paper ‘Complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon; Operative treatment with report of two successful cases’.34 In 1934, he published his famous book ‘The shoulder: rupture of the supraspinatus tendon and other lesions in or about the subacromial bursa’ which provides great insight into his work.35 He writes in the preface, “And now this book is presented to you as a final illustration of my work, rather than as a monograph on the shoulder”. When discussing pathology of the supraspinatus tendon, he noted that it tended to occur in a specific area, about half an inch proximal to the insertion, which he called the critical portion. With regards to acute complete supraspinatus tears, he noted that these presented as an immediate sharp pain, usually following a fall, with loss of power in elevation of the arm and typically no symptoms in the shoulder prior to the accident. Codman discussed eighteen points that he assesses for when suspecting a complete tear. He stressed the importance of early surgical management, where delay led to retraction of the tendon and a “much more serious problem”. He discussed rotator cuff repair without acromioplasty and stated “the coraco-acromial ligament has an important duty and should not be thoughtlessly divided at any operation”. Many of Codman’s insights still hold true today, almost a century later. On the topic of calcific tendinopathy, he wrote: “The deposits do not arise in the bursa itself, but in the tendons beneath it”. Another key contribution he made was regarding the monitoring of medical outcomes. He was the first doctor in the USA to monitor the progress of his patients via “End result cards”.36 The aim of this was to improve patient care, by reviewing patient outcomes and evolving his practice. In-fact, Codman made key contributions to other areas in medicine as well, including Orthopaedic oncology, Radiology, Anaesthetics and General Surgery.

Harrison McLaughlin, in 1944, also published on his surgical experience with rotator cuff repairs.37 He described types of tear including retracted, vertical and transversal.

He also described a technique of reattaching a retracted supraspinatus tendon to the greater tuberosity, using a transosseous technique. This became the gold standard repair method for cuff tears, with the technique evolving over the years. Caldwell et al. performed a cadaveric study to evaluate the effect of various transosseous suture configurations on the strength of rotator cuff fixation.38 The ultimate strength increased when sutures were placed more distal to the tip of the greater tuberosity, when the sutures were tied over a wider bone bridge and when cortical augmentation (plastic button) was used. More recently the technique has become less popular with the introduction of suture anchors.

7. Popularity of surgery for rotator cuff disorders

Following early descriptions of rotator cuff repair techniques by Codman, Mclaughlin and others, open surgical repair became more popular. The role of acromioplasty with rotator cuff repairs became more established, with the rationale of the extrinsic theory popularised by Neer and Bigliani.19,21 In 1972, Neer19 described his operative management for impingement – an open anterior acromioplasty. Between 1965 and 1970, he treated 50 shoulders. The technique involved a deltoid split and an osteotome to excise the anterolateral portion of the acromion. He described outcomes that were far superior to a complete acromionectomy, which was often prevalent at that time.

The rotator cuff quality associated with a tear can be poor, making it difficult to repair. This was noted by McLaughlin39 who in 1962 wrote “In youth, it is thick, strong, and elastic and can be disrupted only by great force; after middle-age it has worn thin and often becomes so weak and brittle that it ruptures with ease”. On surgical management, he added “The wise surgeon, realising that he may find little but rotten cloth to sew, will operate only by necessity and make a carefully guarded prognosis”. In his landmark paper, he discusses requisites for successful repair including obtaining snug apposition of healthy tissue, avoiding tension, restoring continuity, obtaining a smooth-surfaced repair and making the repair water-tight. He also recommended removing the intra-articular portion of the biceps tendon if enlarged and inflamed. Such technical aims remain desirable to date.

8. Management of irreparable rotator cuff tears

As the years progressed, surgeons came up with methods to deal with an irreparable rotator cuff tear. In 1978, Neviaser et al.40 published their experience of 16 cases with massive cuff tears. Their surgical management was to bridge the defect with freeze-dried cadaveric rotator cuff graft. All patients had an improvement in their nocturnal pain, with all but two having good to excellent functional outcomes.

In 1982, Cofield41 described his surgical technique for transposition of subscapularis for a supraspinatus/infraspinatus defect. 22 of 26 patients reported satisfactory pain relief following the procedure. The average range of abduction was 130° for those who had transposition alone and 120° for patients who had combined transposition and prosthetic replacement. Cofield concluded that this technique is an acceptable treatment method for massive cuff tears with tendon substance loss. Years later, Gerber et al.42 described a technique for latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tears, with favourable outcomes.

Asides from using one’s own tendons for transposition, another option is to use a synthetic graft to ‘bridge the gap’. In 1986, Ozaki et al.43 described their surgical experience for management of 25 patients in whom repair of a chronic tear was not possible. They used 3–5 mm thick Teflon and achieved good outcomes with an average of 2.1 years follow-up. All but two patients achieved active abduction of greater than 120° and were completely pain-free.

In the 1970’s and 80’s, there was an emergence of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty, with the main indication being for arthritis. Grammont44,45 popularised the use of the reverse shoulder arthroplasty for management of cuff tear arthropathy, after making important design improvements including medialisation and distalisation of the center of rotation, hence improving deltoid function. Over the last decade, the use of a reverse shoulder arthroplasty for irreparable and/or recurrent rotator cuff tears has grown tremendously, especially in the elderly population.

9. Arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff disorders

The first shoulder arthroscopy was performed on cadaveric joints, in the USA, by Dr Michael Burman in 1931.46 In 1957, Dr Masaki Watanabe and colleagues published a landmark book entitled ‘Atlas of Arthroscopy’, which aided the rise in popularity of arthroscopy.47 In 1958, he made modifications to the arthroscopic equipment and developed the ‘No. 21 arthroscope’, which was the world’s first production model arthroscope.48,49 This arthroscope used an incandescent light source, which would often break, hence making routine use of this technique cumbersome. In 1964 Dr Robert Jackson went on a fellowship to Tokyo and the following year returned to Toronto General Hospital with a Watanabe No. 21 arthroscope (Fig. 3), hence bringing the arthroscopic practice to North America.50,51 As the years have gone by, arthroscopes have evolved with fibre-optic light sources, smaller diameters and improved quality lenses.52

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Open in a new tab

The No.21 arthroscope. Reprinted from: Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, Volume 2, Issue 4, M. Watanabe, Memories of the early days of arthroscopy, Copyright © 1986, with permission from Elsevier.50

In 1987, Harvard Ellman53 published his technique for arthroscopic subacromial decompression, with essential steps involving release of the coraco-acromial ligament, resecting the undersurface of the anterior acromion and debriding the hypertrophic bursa. He presented 50 consecutive patients with 1–3 years follow-up. Overall, 88% of the cases were rated as satisfactory.

In 1990, Howard Levy54 described an arthroscopic-assisted technique for rotator cuff repair, through a small deltoid splitting approach. This study included 25 patients with a minimum 1 year follow-up. Based on the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating, 80% of patients reported their outcome as satisfactory. In 1993, Snyder55 presented a preliminary report on the arthroscopic fixation of rotator cuff tears. In the same year, Thal56 published a technique for arthroscopic mattress suture placement which could be used for rotator cuff repairs as well as for Bankart repairs. The article details an excellent step-by-step guide of this technique, which provides a secure method of repair. This was to be the start of a new era in rotator cuff repair surgery.

During the 1990’s, Stephen S. Burkhart became a pioneer for the arthroscopic management of rotator cuff tears and published extensively on the subject. He has a degree in mechanical engineering as well as medicine, which provided him with the knowledge to link the two subjects effectively and drive forward innovation.57 With the popularity of arthroscopic cuff repairs on the rise, so too was the use of anchors to provide a method of secure fixation of suture to bone. In 1995, Burkhart published a landmark paper entitled ‘The deadman theory of suture anchors: Observations along a south Texas fence line’.58 The deadman theory is used to stabilise fence posts, and the author used this as an analogy for suture anchor placement (Fig. 4). The angle θ should be less than or equal to 45°. Burkhart explains that “if they place the deadman too close to the post so that the θ is greater than 45°, the post tends to gradually lean away from the deadman until θ is reduced to 45° and equilibrium is reached”.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 4

Open in a new tab

The analogy of the deadman system in rotator cuff tears. Reprinted from: Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, Volume 11, Issue 1, S.S. Burkhart, The deadman theory of suture anchors: observations along a South Texas fence line, pp. 119–123, Copyright © 1995, with permission from Elsevier.58

Burkhart also described his outcomes following partial repair for irreparable rotator cuff tears.59 He noted that a partial repair converted the tear to a functional one that is biomechanically intact. One key element for this technique was to restore force couples in the coronal and transverse planes. He later released a technical note, on the management of massive rotator cuff tears via ‘margin convergence’.60 He explains that with a large U-shaped tear, a side-to-side repair will lead to a reduced medial-to-lateral dimension of the defect and also strain reduction at the margin. This in turn leads to reduced stimulation of mechanoreceptors in the cuff. He writes “the cliché no pain, no strain can be converted to a paradigm by reversal of its components to no strain, no pain”. It was described that by combining margin convergence with partial repair of the margins of the tendon, this could lead to a significant closure of ‘irreparable’ defects61 and a functional shoulder.

One of the challenges of the arthroscopic management of massive rotator cuff tears involved achieving adequate release and mobilisation. In 1999, Tauro62 published his technique for arthroscopic “interval slide”. He described using a narrow basket punch to detach the rotator interval capsular attachment and coracohumeral ligament from the supraspinatus. The author found that this greatly improved the mobility of large, retracted tears.

As the experience of surgeons performing arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs improved, so too did the instrumentation at their disposal. Anchor fixation became popular and there was a drive to improve the construct of fixation. In 2001, Apreleva et al.63 noted that single-row repairs only covered 67% of the original supraspinatus insertion. Subsequently, Lo and Burkhart64 presented the double-row repair technique in 2003, with the aim of providing an anatomical footprint repair, increasing the contact area for healing and improving the strength of the repair.

10. Recent reconstructive options for complex rotator cuff disorders

Despite the improvement in surgical techniques and fixation methods, there are some tears which cannot be repaired adequately, even in the most experienced hands. For older patients, reverse polarity shoulder arthroplasty has provided a reliable option and its uptake has increased in patients with irreparable cuff tears even in the absence of arthritis. As this is not an ideal option in younger patients, alternative strategies continue to be explored.

In 2008, Bond et al.65 presented their results in 16 patients with massive immobile cuff tears managed with an arthroscopic ‘GraftJacket’. This acellular human dermal matrix was used as a biologic scaffold to bridge the defect. At a mean follow-up of 26.7 months, 15 of the 16 patients were satisfied with their procedure. Another novel technique for management of irreparable cuff tears was put forward by Savarese and Romeo,66 which provides a less invasive option to arthroplasty. They described inserting a biodegradable subacromial balloon spacer between the humeral head and acromion. Another technique, which has become more popular in recent years, is the arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (SCR). In 2013, Mihata et al.67 described a technique whereby a fascia lata autograft is harvested, folded over and inserted into the subacromial space. The medial side is attached to the superior glenoid and the lateral side to the rotator cuff footprint also via anchors. They performed a SCR in 24 shoulders in 23 consecutive patients and described a significant improvement in range of motion.

11. Conclusion

It is evident from this historical review of rotator cuff management, that we have come very far. Yet, many questions remain unanswered. We still don’t know the precise contribution from various aetiological factors of rotator cuff tears, although the cause is likely multifactorial. We remain unsure about how some patients with cuff tears are asymptomatic whilst others have significant pain and dysfunction. We also remain uncertain of the best treatment for patients with cuff tears. Arthroscopy has now become the gold standard for rotator cuff repair and this is a reason to celebrate. Surgical repair has led to excellent outcomes, particularly in the early disease stages, with reverse shoulder arthroplasty becoming increasingly popular for established cuff arthropathy. However, for large irreparable tears in younger patients, the jury is still out. In the near future, this field awaits careful and diligent investigation into the outcomes of novel techniques for complex cuff tears.

Funding

Nil.

Declaration of competing interest

Nil.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements to the following for the re-use of illustrations:

  • •

    H.F. Moseley, British Journal of surgery (John Wiley and Sons)

  • •

    V. Pandey, W.J. Willems, Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation and Technology (Elsevier)

  • •

    M. Watanabe, Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery (Elsevier)

  • •

    S.S. Burkhart. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery (Elsevier)

References

  • 1.Monro A. Edinburgh: C. Elliott, T. Kay and Co.; 1788. A Description of All the Bursae Mucosae of the Human Body; Their Structure Explained, and Compared with that of the Capsular Ligaments of the Joints, and of Those Sacs Which Line the Cavities of the Thorax and Abdomen; with Remarks on the Accidents and Diseases Which Affect Those Several Sacs, and on the Operations Necessary for Their Cure: Illustrated with Tables. [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Moseley H.F. Ruptures of the rotator cuff. Br J Surg. 1951;38(151):340–369. doi: 10.1002/bjs.18003815108. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Smith J.G. Pathological appearances of seven cases of injury of the shoulder joint with remarks. London Med Gaz. 1834;14:280. doi: 10.1007/s11999-010-1231-x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Jarjavay J.-F. Sur la luxation du tendon de la longue portion du muscle biceps humeral; sur la luxation des tendons des muscles peroniers lateraux. Gaz Hebd Med Chir. 1867;21:325. [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Heineke W. Die anatomie und pathologie der schleimbeutel und sehnenscheiden. Erlangen: Verl. A. Deichert. 1868 [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Randelli P., Cucchi D., Ragone V., de Girolamo L., Cabitza P., Randelli M. History of rotator cuff surgery. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2015;23(2):344–362. doi: 10.1007/s00167-014-3445-z. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Gohlke F. Early European contributions to rotator cuff repair at the turn of the 20th century. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2011;20(3):352–357. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2011.01.001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Pitha F. Handbuch der spez. Chirurgie von Pitha Und Billroth, Bd. 4/1. 1864 [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Pitha Von. Lehrbuch der chirurgie. Zit. In: Jossel G., editor. Anatomie. vol. 1. 1884. pp. 17–22. Lehrbuch der Topographisch-Chirurgischen. [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Duplay E.S. De la peri-arthrite scapulo humerale et des raideurs de l’epaule qui en son la consequence. Arch Gen Med. 1872;20:513–542. [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Riesz P.B. The life of wilhelm conrad roentgen. Am J Roentgenol. 1995;165(6):1533–1537. doi: 10.2214/ajr.165.6.7484601. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Painter C.F. Subdeltoid bursitis. Boston Med Surg J. 1907;156:345–349. [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Stieda A. Zur pathologie der Schultergelenkschleimbeutel. Arch Klin Chir. 1908;85:910–924. [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Bergemann E., Stieda A. Über die mit Kalkablagerung einhergehende Entzündung der Schulterschleimbeutel. Munch Med Wochenschr. 1908;52:2699–2702. [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Wrede L. Uber Kalkeinlagerungen in der Umgebung des Schultergelenkes und ihre Beziehung zur Periarthritis humeroscapularis. Langenbecks Arch Chir. 1912;99:259–272. [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Meyer A.W. Further evidences of attrition in the human body. Am J Anat. 1924;34(1):241–267. doi: 10.1002/aja.1000340108. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Codman E.A., Akerson I.B. The pathology associated with rupture of the supraspinatus tendon. Ann Surg. 1931;93:348–359. doi: 10.1097/00000658-193101000-00043. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Lindblom K. On pathogenesis of ruptures of the tendon aponeurosis of the shoulder joint. Acta Radiol. 1939;20(6):563–577. doi: 10.3109/00016923909174877. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Neer C.S. Anterior acromioplasty for the chronic impingement syndrome in the shoulder: a preliminary report. J Bone Jt Surg. 1972;54(1):41–50. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Neer C.S. Impingement lesions. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983;173:70–77. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Bigliani L.U., Morrison D.S., April E.W. The morphology of the acromion and its relationship to rotator cuff tears. Orthop Trans. 1986;10:228. [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Wang J.C., Horner G., Brown E.D., Shapiro M.S. The relationship between acromial morphology and conservative treatment of patients with impingement syndrome. Orthopedics. 2000;23(6):557–559. doi: 10.3928/0147-7447-20000601-12. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Pandey V., Willems W.J. Rotator cuff tear: a detailed update. Asia-Pacific J Sport Med Arthrosc Rehabil Technol. 2015;2(1):1–14. doi: 10.1016/j.asmart.2014.11.003. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Yamanaka K., Fukuda H. Pathological studies of the supraspinatus tendon with reference to incomplete thickness tear. Katakansetsu. 1987;11(1):98–102. doi: 10.11296/katakansetsu1977.11.1_98. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Tempelhof S., Rupp S., Seil R. Age-related prevalence of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic shoulders. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999;8(4):296–299. doi: 10.1016/S1058-2746(99)90148-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Lohr J.F., Uhthoff H.K. The microvascular pattern of the supraspinatus tendon. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990;254:35–38. doi: 10.1097/00003086-199005000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Nakajima T., Rokuuma N., Hamada K., Tomatsu T., Fukuda H. Histologic and biomechanical characteristics of the supraspinatus tendon: reference to rotator cuff tearing. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1994;3(2):79–87. doi: 10.1016/S1058-2746(09)80114-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Saha A.K. Dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint. Acta Orthop. 1971;42(6):491–505. doi: 10.3109/17453677108989066. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Saha A.K. Mechanism of shoulder movements and a plea for the recognition of “zero position” of glenohumeral joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983;173:3–10. doi: 10.1097/00003086-198303000-00002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Saha A.K. Thomas; 1961. Theory of Shoulder Mechanism: Descriptive and Applied. [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Saha A.K. Surgery of the paralysed and flail shoulder. Acta Orthop Scand. 1967;38(Sup 97):3–90. doi: 10.3109/ort.1967.38.suppl-97.01. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Perthes G. Über operationen bei habitueller schulterluxation. Dtsch Zeitschr Chir. 1906;85:199–227. [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Brand R.A., Ernest Amory Codman M.D. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009;467:2763–2765. doi: 10.1007/s11999-009-1047-8. 1869-1940. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Codman E.A. Complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon; operative treatment with report of two successful cases. Boston Med Surg J. 1911;164(20):708–710. doi: 10.1056/nejm191105181642002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Codman E.A. The Shoulder. Thomas Todd; Boston: 1934. Rupture of the supraspinatus tendon and other lesions in or about the subacromial bursa. [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Donabedian A. The end results of health care: ernest Codman’s contribution to quality assessment and beyond. Milbank Q. 1989;67(2):233–256. doi: 10.2307/3350139. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.McLaughlin H.L. Lesions of the musculotendinous cuff of the shoulder. I. The exposure and treatment of tears with retraction. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1944;26:31–51. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Caldwell G.L., Warner J.J.P., Miller M.D., Boardman D., Towers J., Debski R. Strength of fixation with transosseous sutures in rotator cuff repair. J Bone Jt Surg. 1997;79(7):1064–1068. doi: 10.2106/00004623-199707000-00013. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.McLaughlin H.L. Rupture of the rotator cuff. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1962;44(5):979–983. [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Neviaser J.S., Neviaser R.J., Neviaser T.J. The repair of chronic massive ruptures of the rotator cuff of the shoulder by use of a freeze-dried rotator cuff. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1978;60(5):681–684. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Cofield R.H. Subscapular muscle transposition for repair of chronic rotator cuff tears. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1982;154(5):667–672. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Gerber C., Vinh T.S., Hertel R., Hess C.W. Latissimus dorsi transfer for the treatment of massive tears of the rotator cuff. A preliminary report. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;232:51–61. doi: 10.1097/00003086-198807000-00008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Ozaki J., Fujimoto S., Masuhara K., Tamai S., Yoshimoto S. Reconstruction of chronic massive rotator cuff tears with synthetic materials. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1986;202:173–183. doi: 10.1097/00003086-198601000-00022. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Grammont P., Trouilloud P., Laffay J., Deries X. Concept study and realization of a new total shoulder prosthesis. Rhumatologie. 1987;39(10):407–418. [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Grammont P.M., Baulot E. Delta shoulder prosthesis for rotator cuff rupture. Orthopedics. 1993;16(1):65–68. doi: 10.3928/0147-7447-19930101-11. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Burman M.S. Arthroscopy or the direct visualization of joints. An experimental cadaver study. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1931;13(4):669–695. doi: 10.1097/00003086-200109000-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Watanabe M., Takeda S., Ikeuchi H. Igaku-Shoin Ltd; Tokyo: 1957. Atlas of Arthroscopy. [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Sherk H.H. Getting it Straight: A History of American Orthopaedics. In: Bucholz R.W., Hamilton J.H., editors. AAOS; Rosemont, IL: 2008. [Google Scholar]
  • 49.Watanabe M., Takeda S. The number 21 arthroscope. J Jpn Orthop Assoc. 1960;34:1041. [Google Scholar]
  • 50.Watanabe M. Memories of the early days of arthroscopy. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1986;2(4):209–214. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(86)80073-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 51.DeMaio M. Giants of orthopaedic surgery: Masaki Watanabe MD. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013;471(8):2443–2448. doi: 10.1007/s11999-013-3052-1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 52.Treuting R. Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery: Arthroscopy. Ochsner J. 2000;2(3):158–163. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 53.Ellman H. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: analysis of one- to three-year results. Arthroscopy. 1987;3(3):173–181. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(87)80061-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 54.Levy H.J., Uribe J.W., Delaney L.G. Arthroscopic assisted rotator cuff repair: preliminary results. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1990;6(1):55–60. doi: 10.1016/0749-8063(90)90099-Y. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 55.Snyder S.J., Bachner E.J. Arthroscopic fixation of rotator cuff tears: a preliminary report. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1993;9(3):342. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(05)80439-6. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 56.Thal R. A technique for arthroscopic mattress suture placement. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1993;9(5):605–607. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(05)80415-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 57.Burkhart S.S. The burden of craft in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: where have we been and where we are going. Am J Orthoped. 2015;44(8):353–358. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 58.Burkhart S.S. The deadman theory of suture anchors: observations along a South Texas fence line. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1995;11(1):119–123. doi: 10.1016/0749-8063(95)90100-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 59.Burkhart S.S., Nottage W.M., Ogilvie-Harris D.J., Kohn H.S., Pachelli A. Partial repair of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Arthroscopy. 1994;10(4):363–370. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(05)80186-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 60.Burkhart S.S., Athanasiou K.A., Wirth M.A. Margin convergence: a method of reducing strain in massive rotator cuff tears. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1996;12(3):335–338. doi: 10.1016/S0749-8063(96)90070-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 61.Burkhart S.S. Partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears: the evolution of a concept. Orthop Clin N Am. 1997;28(1):125–132. doi: 10.1016/S0030-5898(05)70270-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 62.Tauro J.C. Arthroscopic “interval slide” in the repair of large rotator cuff tears. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 1999;15(5):527–530. doi: 10.1053/ar.1999.v15.0150521. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 63.Apreleva M., Özbaydar M., Fitzgibbons P.G., Warner J.J.P. Rotator cuff tears: the effect of the reconstruction method on three-dimensional repair site area. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 2002;18(5):519–526. doi: 10.1053/jars.2002.32930. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 64.Lo I.K.Y., Burkhart S.S. Double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: Re-establishing the footprint of the rotator cuff. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 2003;19(9):1035–1042. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2003.09.036. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 65.Bond J.L., Dopirak R.M., Higgins J., Burns J., Snyder S.J. Arthroscopic replacement of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears using a GraftJacket allograft: technique and preliminary results. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 2008;24(4):403.E1–403.E8. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2007.07.033. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 66.Savarese E., Romeo R. New solution for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears: the subacromial “biodegradable spacer.”. Arthrosc Tech. 2012;1(1):E69–E74. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2012.02.002. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 67.Mihata T., Lee T.Q., Watanabe C. Clinical results of arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction for irreparable rotator cuff tears. Arthrosc J Arthrosc Relat Surg. 2013;29(3):459–470. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2012.10.022. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

RESOURCES