Osteoporosis in the setting of rotator cuff repair: A narrative review.

Shoulder Elbow · Oct 2024 · Review

Daher M, Zalaquett Z, Fares MY, Boufadel P, Khanna A, Abboud JA

Rothman Institute/Thomas Jefferson Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Shoulder & Elbow Sports Medicine

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONNarrative review of osteoporosis in rotator cuff repair: preoperative screening and antiresorptive therapy may reduce repair failure and revision, though clinical efficacy remains controversial; surgical options include augmentation and posteromedial anchor placement.
Abstract, as published

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are frequently found in patients undergoing shoulder surgery, especially rotator cuff repair, and it is anticipated that this link will become more common as more elderly people have operations on their shoulders. For orthopedic surgical candidates who are at high risk, preoperative screening may identify those who might benefit from early intervention and prevent any associated adverse events. The major complications include repair failure and revision surgery. Antiresorptive medication preoperatively has shown good results in vivo. However, when used in the clinical setting, the efficacy remains controversial. Surgical management may include repair augmentation and placing the anchors in the posteromedial part of the greater tuberosity. Level of evidence: IV.

Featured in the 2026-10-30 issue.

← Radial head fractures.Nonarthroplasty Treatment Options for Management of Primary E… →

The Reduction is a free email digest of newly published orthopaedic literature — a handful of new papers in the subspecialties you choose, each summarized like this one. Subscribe free or browse the archive.