‘Irreparable’ Rotator Cuff Tears: Tips and Tricks to Achieve Arthroscopic Repair

  • Cristina Sánchez-Losilla *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0444-8684
  • Alfred Ferré-Aniorte Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0940-4557
  • Jorge Ramírez-Haua Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8011-3248
  • Pedro Álvarez-Díaz *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2230-4860
  • Ramón Cugat *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4870-2944
  • Eduard Alentorn-Geli *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8979-8404
Keywords: Tendon injury, rotator cuff, tendon repair, arthroscopy

Abstract

Irreparable rotator cuff tears are major injuries that can drastically affect the quality of life of the patients. Despite the complexity of the procedure and the high rates of re-tear, surgical repair is justified due to the lack of less aggressive and palliative alternatives. If a repair is not achieved, surgical alternatives are considered including tendon transfer, superior capsular reconstruction, or even reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Accordingly, arthroscopic repair must be performed in order to save the severely injured rotator cuff. The aim of this study is to summarize some of the arthroscopic techniques for repairing the so-called irreparable rotator cuff tears.

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Author Biographies

Cristina Sánchez-Losilla , *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
*Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Alfred Ferré-Aniorte, Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain. García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Jorge Ramírez-Haua , Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Pedro Álvarez-Díaz , *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Ramón Cugat , *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Eduard Alentorn-Geli , *Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain **Mutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain #García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
Cugat Institute, García-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, SpainMutualidad Española de Futbolistas, Federación Española de Fútbol – Delegación Cataluña, Barcelona, SpainGarcía-Cugat Foundation, Barcelona, Spain

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Published
2022-08-31
How to Cite
Sánchez-Losilla , C., Ferré-Aniorte, A., Ramírez-Haua , J., Álvarez-Díaz , P., Cugat , R., & Alentorn-Geli , E. (2022). ‘Irreparable’ Rotator Cuff Tears: Tips and Tricks to Achieve Arthroscopic Repair. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 87(4), 559-569. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2022.87.4.1604