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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:22
Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
Complications after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Kenneth J Brislin1, Larry D Field, Felix H Savoie
1Orthopaedic Associates of Allentown, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103, USA. kjbrislin@hotmail.com
Summary
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair has a 10.6% complication rate, with persistent stiffness being the most common. These outcomes are comparable to traditional open repair methods.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Rotator cuff tears are common injuries.
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is an increasingly utilized surgical technique.
- Understanding complication rates is crucial for patient counseling and surgical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complication rate associated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
- To analyze the types of complications encountered in a consecutive patient series.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of patients undergoing primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between January 2003 and June 2003 were identified.
- Medical records of 263 patients were retrospectively reviewed.
- Complications were systematically identified and categorized.
Main Results:
- A total of 28 patients (10.6%) experienced complications following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
- The most frequent complication observed was persistent shoulder stiffness, often responsive to physical therapy.
- Other reported complications included failure of healing, infection, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, deep venous thrombosis, and death.
Conclusions:
- The overall complication rate for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in this series was 10.6%.
- Persistent stiffness was the most common complication, generally manageable with physical therapy.
- The complication profile of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair appears similar to that of open repair procedures.
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