Rotator cuff tear arthropathy: Where are the limits for repair?

Abstract

Cuff tear arthropathy is a difficult condition to treat. Furthermore, it is especially difficult to set its limit for repair or reconstruction in order to address the pathology and avoid the development of this condition. Treatment options besides conservative treatment include arthroscopic repair with debridement, subacromial decompression and biceps tenotomy, partial or complete rotator cuff repair, tendon transfer, various grafting and tendon augmentation techniques, superior capsular reconstruction, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The optimal treatment for patients with massive rotator cuff tears in the absence of arthritis or with early arthritic changes remains controversial and simultaneously sets up the limit between the repair and the arthroplasty.