AANA Shoulder Arthroscopy - August 2024-Mobilization for Contracted Tears

Mobilization for Contracted Tears_ Routine Release and Slides, Oh My!

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Joe Toro from Ocean County Sports Medicine and Rutgers Medical School discusses large and retracted rotator cuff tears, focusing on when and how to perform soft tissue releases. He explains that contracted capsules tether torn tendons, sometimes necessitating releases to reduce tension for repair. Not all large tears require release; acute tears may be mobile enough for direct repair. Key to successful repair is thorough debridement of bursal tissue to visualize the tear. Several soft tissue releases—superior capsular, anterior interval, and posterior interval (double interval)—are described to improve tendon mobility by freeing adhesions and contracted tissues. Repairs often involve single-row techniques, especially for retracted or degenerated tendons, though double-row is preferable if tissue quality allows. Toro emphasizes careful technique with radiofrequency devices to avoid tendon damage during releases. He also demonstrates using ripstop sutures to reinforce repairs. Overall, the lecture highlights optimizing soft tissue management to achieve low-tension, anatomical rotator cuff repairs in complex cases.

Asset Caption

Joseph Tauro, MD

Keywords

rotator cuff tears

soft tissue releases

tendon mobility

single-row repair

radiofrequency technique

ripstop sutures