2024 AANA/ISAKOS Specialty Day All-Access Pass-Debate Speaker #1: Fix the Tear! Treat With a Transtendon Rotator Cuff Repair, Tried and True

Debate Speaker #1: Fix the Tear! Treat With a Transtendon Rotator Cuff Repair, Tried and True

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Toro discusses managing partial thickness rotator cuff tears, advocating for repair in most cases rather than debridement, which he finds ineffective. He emphasizes assessing tendon quality from the bursal side with a probe to decide whether to preserve or remove the remaining tendon tissue. Repairs should minimize damage and avoid over-constraining the tendon, using small anchors and careful suture placement. He criticizes collagen patch augmentation due to potential complications like stiffness and worse post-op outcomes, highlighting the importance of proper repair techniques over unproven biologics for long-term success in rotator cuff tears.

Asset Caption

Joseph C. Tauro, M.D., FAANA

Keywords

partial thickness rotator cuff tears

tendon quality assessment

repair vs debridement

surgical repair techniques

collagen patch augmentation risks