Arthroscopy has emerged as the gold standard for the evaluation of the rotator cuff,
the subacromial space, and the glenohumeral joint itself. The past decade has seen
advances in arthroscopic skills such that many shoulder surgeons repair all rotator
cuff tears with arthroscopic techniques, and a growing number of orthopedic surgeons
in general are treating simple rotator cuff tears with “minimally invasive” procedures.
As we progress in both our learning and our teaching, the gold standard for the treatment
of rotator cuff pathology will likely become arthroscopic repair. Early reports of
all-arthroscopic repairs have been encouraging in demonstrating consistency in technique
and excellent clinical outcomes. Thus, it is important to recognize the advantages
of arthroscopic evaluation and repair of the rotator cuff, and also to be aware of
the possible pitfalls and how they can be avoided with meticulous attention to technique.
This instructional course reviews the many uses of the arthroscope in the diagnosis
and classification of rotator cuff pathology, and discusses the surgical remedies
for these problems that are afforded by the skillful use of arthroscopy in the shoulder.
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References
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. 1995 (Presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America; San Francisco, CA; May 4–7)
- Arthroscopic repair of medium to large full-thickness rotator cuff tears.J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2002; 11: 19-24
- Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff.Arthroscopy. 2002; 18: 136-144
- Arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears.J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 1987; 80: 832-840
- Technique of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using implantable 4-mm Revo suture anchors, suture Shuttle Relays, and no. 2 nonabsorbable mattress sutures.Orthop Clin North Am. 1997; 28: 267-275
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Arthroscopy. 1998; 14: 25-51
- A modified classification of the supraspinatus outlet view based on the configuration and the anatomic thickness of the acromion. 1991 (Presented at the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Annual Closed Meeting, Seattle, WA, September)
- Shoulder arthroscopy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia2003
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© 2003 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
