RESEARCH ARTICLE
Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Restoring Joint Kinematics by Tendon Transfers
Joshua A. Greenspoon1, Peter J. Millett1, *, Samuel G. Moulton2, Maximilian Petri1
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2016Volume: 10
Issue: Suppl 1: M2
First Page: 266
Last Page: 276
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-10-266
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001610010266
Article History:
Received Date: 16/7/2015Revision Received Date: 21/7/2015
Acceptance Date: 1/2/2016
Electronic publication date: 21/07/2016
Collection year: 2016
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background:
Tendon transfers can be a surgical treatment option in managing younger, active patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the use of tendon transfers to treat massive irreparable rotator cuff tears and to summarize clinical outcomes.
Methods:
A selective literature search was performed and personal surgical experiences are reported.
Results:
Latissimus dorsi transfers have been used for many years in the management of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with good reported clinical outcomes. It can be transferred without or with the teres major (L’Episcopo technique). Many surgical techniques have been described for latissimus dorsi transfer including single incision, double incision, and arthroscopically assisted transfer. Transfer of the pectoralis major tendon is the most common tendon transfer procedure performed for anterosuperior rotator cuff deficiencies. Several surgical techniques have been described, however transfer of the pectoralis major beneath the coracoid process has been found to most closely replicate the force vector that is normally provided by the intact subscapularis.
Conclusion:
Tendon transfers can be used successfully in the management of younger patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears and minimal glenohumeral arthritis. Improvements in clinical outcomes scores and range of motion have been demonstrated. This can delay arthroplasty, which is of particular importance for younger patients with high functional demands.
