Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
Infraspinatus shift for massive, posterosuperior tears yields good clinical outcome
Leonard Achenbach1,2, Pia Ahlers3, Christian G Pfeifer4
1Sporthopaedicum Regensburg-Straubing, Regensburg, Germany. leonardachenbach@gmail.com.
Aim:
To evaluate the functional outcome of partial reconstruction margin convergence in the treatment of massive, irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tear (RCT).
Methods:
This retrospective, single-center study included all patients that were operated by means of a partial repair and infraspinatus shift for a massive, posterosuperior cuff tear between 2009 and 2016, either in arthroscopic or mini-open technique. Outcome measures included sex- and age-adapted Constant Score (saCS), Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Scores (DASH), and relative effect per patient (REPP).
Results:
Fifty-six shoulders in 54 patients (mean age: 66 ± 7 years) were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 40 ± 9 months. The mean tear size was Bateman 3.1 ± 0.7 and Patte 2.3 ± 0.4. All clinical scores showed improvement. The saCS improved from 64.1 ± 13.4 to 90.4 ± 13.7 (p < 0.0001), the DASH score from 51.8 ± 9.4 to 10.2 ± 13.4 (p < 0.0001) and the WORC index from 47.1% ± 8.6 to 87.9% ± 13.7 (p < 0.0001). The abduction strength of the affected side (1.7 ± 1.6 kg) was not restored to the same level as the contralateral side (5.4 ± 2.7 kg, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Partial cuff repair for posterosuperior, massive cuff tears yields good clinical outcome with a low rate of complications and high proportion of good and excellent responders.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
