Biologic augmentation in rotator cuff repair

Abstract

Full-thickness rotator cuff tears are common in the aging population, with an estimated incidence between 28 and 40 % in patients over age 60. While some rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic, many will result in pain and dysfunction. Surgery is often recommended for those tears causing disabling symptoms that fail reasonable conservative measures. A significant percentage of tears fail to heal following repair regardless of surgical technique. Several factors that contribute to repair failure include patient age, tear chronicity, tear size, fatty infiltration, and muscle atrophy.