Evaluation and treatment of the rotator cuff

The use of the arthroscope for evaluation and treatment of rotator cuff problems is becoming more common. Technology has advanced to the point where we can now not only positively diagnose early rotator cuff problems, but successfully treat them; many times without open shoulder surgery. Arthroscopic cuff debridement and decompression are the mainstays of surgical prevention. Arthroscopic suture fixation of delaminated cuff tears or small rotator cuff avulsions is now possible. The miniopen rotator cuff approach is excellent for repairing most larger full-thickness tears. This article reviews all of these current topics and offers step-by-step surgical techniques used and recommended by the author.