Arthroscopic Subscapularis Repair Using a Subacromial View

As a result of the continued improvement in arthroscopic equipment and techniques, subscapularis tears are now more reliably identified and are being repaired at higher rates than previously reported. Whereas small upper-border subscapularis tears can usually be effectively managed using an intra-articular view, larger tears often cannot be fully visualized with a standard 30° arthroscope when viewed from the posterior portal. These tears may require either using a 70° arthroscope or viewing through the standard 30° arthroscope from a subacromial portal-site location to completely visualize the tear. This article illustrates and discusses the advantages of using a subacromial-space portal site to view and arthroscopically manage large subscapularis tears.