Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: How to Avoid Retear

A healed rotator cuff repair results in a superior outcome for the patient compared with a non-healed repair. The surgeon can maximize the chance of a healed repair by knowing the end-point of each key step in the repair process and adhering to a few core principles. First, the rotator cuff tear pattern (e.g. crescent, L-tear, reverse L-tear, U-tear) must be recognized, starting with careful assessment of preoperative MRI but concluding with the arthroscopic assessment of tear edge mobility. Second, a low-tension, anatomic, and mechanically robust repair construct (e.g. linked, double row; load-sharing rip stop; margin convergence to bone) must be determined based on the tear pattern. Increasingly, surgeons are recognizing the importance of the superior capsule of the shoulder, which can appear as a separate pathoanatomic structure in a delaminated rotator cuff tear and require independent suturing in the repair construct. Third, the biological healing capacity of the repair site must be optimized by using meticulous preparation of the greater tuberosity bone, including removal of soft tissue remnants, light burring, and creation of bone vents. Finally, avoid aggressive early rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair respecting that tendon to bone healing is unlikely to occur before 12 weeks postoperatively. Sling immobilization and judicious use of early passive motion should be used for the first 6 weeks, with passive shoulder range of motion performed during weeks 6-12 postoperatively. Rotator cuff strengthening, and active overhead use of the arm should be delayed until at least 12 weeks after surgery to minimize the risk of retear.