AANA19 Shoulder Access Pass-Alterations in Glenohumeral Force Distribution Following Rotator Cuff Injury and Repair-Dr. Kevin W. Wilson, M.D.

Alterations in Glenohumeral Force Distribution Following Rotator Cuff Injury and Repair-Dr. Kevin W. Wilson, M.D.

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Golan and colleagues studied how rotator cuff tear size and repair tension affect glenohumeral joint forces using cadaveric shoulders and force-mapping sensors. Smaller (1 cm) tears and repairs showed no significant force changes, but larger (2 cm) tears decreased contact area, and their repair significantly increased joint load, contact pressure, and contact area, indicating possible over-tensioning. Removing the repair reduced forces toward baseline. The study suggests that high-tension repairs of larger rotator cuff tears may overload the joint, highlighting the need for surgeons to assess repair tension intraoperatively, beyond simply covering the tendon footprint.

Keywords

rotator cuff tear

repair tension

glenohumeral joint forces

contact pressure

surgical repair assessment