Introduction The goal of any rotator cuff repair technique is to relieve pain, improve strength, increase range of motion, and restore function. An arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can be demanding and requires a sound understanding of biomechanics and tear patterns…
Introduction The goals of rotator cuff repair surgery are to relieve pain; decrease the likelihood of rotator cuff tear extension; and restore strength, motion, and function of the shoulder. The most predictable result is that of pain relief, whereas restoration…
Introduction Shoulder pain is a common presenting complaint in patients of varying ages and activity levels. Cross-sectional studies have quantified the prevalence of shoulder pain in different countries as ranging from 4.7% to 46.7% in the general population. Although Neer…
Introduction Shoulder arthroscopy can be performed with the patient in either the lateral decubitus position (LDP) or the beach chair position (BCP). There are advantages and disadvantages of both positions with respect to the ease, efficiency, and economics of setup;…
Introduction Arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff could not have advanced as rapidly as it has without improvements in the implants that allow fixation of the damaged tendon to bone. Suture anchors and high-strength sutures are essential to this technique.…
Introduction A rotator cuff tear (RCT) is a commonly encountered diagnosis that, when symptomatic, can be treated operatively or nonoperatively. Often, it can be an incidental finding on imaging that necessitates no specific management. However, patients are often symptomatic and…
Introduction Rotator cuff lesions are among the most common causes of shoulder pain and upper quarter disability seen in orthopedics and physical therapy. Surprisingly, a lack of data exists on the natural history of patients with rotator cuff disease, but…
Introduction Shoulder impingement syndromes are caused by external or internal impingement. External impingement includes subacromial and subcoracoid impingement, and is caused by the abnormalities of the anterolateral acromion and coracoacromial arch, leading to disorders of the outlet structures. Internal impingement…
Radiographs Plain radiographs offer an indirect evaluation of the rotator cuff and soft tissue of the shoulder joint, and this imaging modality is an important tool in the diagnosis of shoulder pathology. There are multiple imaging findings that can provide…
Introduction Rotator cuff tears and rotator cuff pathology are exceedingly common causes of shoulder pain, with many studies citing them as the leading causes of shoulder pain. Successful treatment of rotator cuff disorders hinges on making an accurate diagnosis. Clinicians…