54 papers, newest 30 shown · updated 2026-09-26 · Shoulder & Elbow · All topics
The newest papers on rotator cuff tears from the orthopaedic journals The Reduction reads, newest first, each with a one-line summary. The list is drawn from the digest’s archive and refreshed every week.
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In a large propensity-matched database study, tobacco users had significantly worse complications after rotator cuff repair than nonusers, while nontobacco nicotine users had a milder risk profile similar to nonusers aside from slightly more adhesion lysis.
An international expert consensus reached strong agreement on subscapularis repair technique and tendon transfer indications for rotator cuff tears, but found no consensus on optimal graft augmentation or superior capsular reconstruction approaches.
Large database analysis shows prior myocardial infarction, especially within 6 months, substantially raises the risk of postoperative MI after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, particularly without prior PCI.
Shear-Wave Elastography for Assessing the Histological Characteristics of Torn Rotator Cuff Tendons.
Shear-wave elastography stiffness values correlated with collagen disorganization and cellularity patterns in torn supraspinatus tendons, supporting its use as a noninvasive histological marker.
After adjusting for confounders, preoperative GLP-1 receptor agonist use was not independently associated with increased complications after rotator cuff repair, supporting safe perioperative continuation.
Narrative review proposes a tension-aware framework for retracted rotator cuff tears, balancing footprint restoration against repair tension using selective mobilization, margin convergence, or partial repair when full anatomic repair isn't feasible.
In traumatic massive rotator cuff tears, arthroscopic repair within 3 weeks of injury yielded better ASES functional scores than delayed repair, though retear rates were similar.
A Repair-Tension Sweet Zone Maximizes Tendon-to-Bone Healing in a Rat Rotator Cuff Model.
In a rat rotator cuff model, a moderate repair-tension "sweet zone" (0.10-0.12 N/mm²) produced the strongest, stiffest, and best-organized tendon-to-bone healing compared to lower or higher tensions.
A deep learning model analyzing intraoperative arthroscopic images after rotator cuff repair predicted early tendon healing versus retear with high accuracy, potentially helping identify patients needing delayed rehabilitation.
Proximal neuropathy occurs in 40% of massive rotator cuff tears and strongly correlates with pseudoparalysis; EMG should guide selective preoperative evaluation of large tears.
Biceps autograft patch augmentation for rotator cuff repair achieves low 4% retear rate and excellent functional outcomes at 23-month follow-up.
Single-dose zoledronic acid during rotator cuff repair altered circulating miRNA profiles toward reduced inflammation/fibrosis and improved healing, explaining lower retear rates.
Dermal allograft patch augmentation with triple-row repair for large-to-massive rotator cuff tears yielded a low 12.8% retear rate and favorable clinical outcomes with no adverse events at ~32 months.
Large database analysis shows hyperlipidemia modestly raises the risk of repeat rotator cuff repair and arthroplasty after arthroscopic RCR, with statin therapy failing to lower this risk.
In a randomized trial, adding telerehabilitation-based motor control exercises after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair improved scapular mobility and shoulder strength more than standard telerehab alone, though functional scores were similar.
A cost-utility analysis found that adding subacromial decompression to rotator cuff repair is cost-effective and cost-saving at mid-term follow-up by lowering revision rates and improving QALYs versus repair alone.
Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α in Regulating Muscle Degeneration After Rotator Cuff Tears.
In a mouse rotator cuff tear model, loss of HIF-1α in fibroadipogenic progenitor cells increased fibrosis and worsened muscle degeneration, identifying it as a potential therapeutic target.
In a rat chronic massive rotator cuff tear model, suprascapular nerve release combined with tendon repair improved biomechanical strength and histological healing compared to repair alone, supporting its potential clinical use.
Nerve growth factor gene delivery via nanosphere-hydrogel composites enhances tendon-bone interface healing biomechanically, histologically, and functionally in rotator cuff repair models.
A rotator cuff sparing deltopectoral approach to intramedullary nail of humeral fractures.
Rotator cuff-sparing deltopectoral approach for humeral intramedullary nailing achieves good functional outcomes with low iatrogenic shoulder pain and no revisions needed.
Arthroscopic partial repair for large-to-massive rotator cuff tears achieved significant pain and functional improvement despite 30% structural retear rate at 2-year follow-up, with worse outcomes in patients with recurrent tears.
Linked tape bridging knotless double-row rotator cuff repair maintained functional improvement at 15 years with 19.6% failure rate, mostly after 10-year mark.
In this RCT of 150 rotator cuff repairs, longer surgical/suture exposure time predicted suture contamination more than choice of skin antiseptic, though olanexidine had higher contamination risk than alcohol-povidone-iodine.
In 699 patients, preoperative deficits in scaption and external rotation strength (plus age and Constant score) independently predicted rotator cuff retear, offering a practical clinical alternative to MRI for risk assessment.
Arthroscopic lower trapezius tendon transfer improved pain, function, and ROM in irreparable posterosuperior cuff tears regardless of preoperative teres minor trophicity, with no significant differences in outcomes among groups.
At 5-7 years, ultrasound-guided needling and high-energy shockwave therapy for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis produced equally excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes, supporting either as effective options.
Combining tendon remnant preservation with small-diameter bone marrow stimulation during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair significantly improved tendon healing rates (80.8% vs 53.8%) versus standard repair, though clinical outcome scores were similar.
EMG-based early low supraspinatus-load exercises after rotator cuff repair reduce short-term pain without compromising long-term functional outcomes compared to immobilization.
Arthroscopic prior rotator cuff repair and longer intervals before reverse shoulder arthroplasty independently predict better postoperative function and motion recovery.
Outcomes of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair after Bariatric Surgery.
Patients with prior bariatric surgery experience higher rotator cuff repair failure rates and worse postoperative pain, warranting preoperative counseling.
Arthroscopic repair of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears showed 94% recurrent defects by ultrasound but excellent early functional outcomes; results deteriorated by 2 years with only 50% maintaining good scores.
The Results of Repair of Massive Tears of the Rotator Cuff*†
A novel massive rotator cuff repair technique achieved good clinical outcomes and lower retear rates, though muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration persisted despite successful repairs.
CT and MRI show fair-to-moderate agreement for grading rotator cuff fatty degeneration; MRI atrophy correlates significantly with fatty infiltration.
Prevalence and risk factors of a rotator cuff tear in the general population
Population-based ultrasound screening found full-thickness rotator cuff tears in 20.7% of shoulders, with age, dominant arm, and trauma history as key risk factors, regardless of symptoms.
Repairs of the rotator cuff. Correlation of functional results with integrity of the cuff.
Intact rotator cuff repairs correlate with better functional outcomes; 80% of supraspinatus-only repairs remain intact versus 50% of larger tears with persistent functional deficits.
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