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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
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Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in overhead-throwing athletes
Dennis Liem1, Sven Lichtenberg, Petra Magosch
1Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Muenster, Albert Schweitzer Street 33, 48149 Muenster, Germany. dennisliem@web.de
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|April 30, 2008
Summary
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair helps overhead-throwing athletes return to sports. Most patients regain their previous performance levels after surgery, demonstrating good clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
Background:
- Rotator cuff tears significantly impair overhead-throwing athletes' performance.
- Surgical intervention is often necessary for athletes to regain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in amateur overhead-throwing athletes.
- To compare the outcomes of overhead-throwing athletes with non-athletes undergoing the same procedure.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study (Level of evidence, 3) reviewed 21 overhead-throwing athletes.
- Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant Score and MRI for repair integrity.
- Follow-up averaged 25.7 months, comparing retear rates and scores with 32 non-athletes.
Main Results:
- Constant Scores significantly improved from 54.9 to 84.2 (P < .001).
- All athletes returned to their sport within 6.3 months, estimating 91.9% of original activity level.
- No significant difference in retear rates or clinical outcomes was found compared to non-athletes.
Conclusions:
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yields good clinical results for overhead-throwing athletes.
- Patients can successfully return to overhead-throwing sports, often at their preoperative level.
