title: Partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears: the evolution of a concept.
abstract: Partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears has eliminated the need for tendon transfers to close large defects. Side-to-side repair is usually done as a first step, with the margins of the tear then repaired to bone. Side-to-side repair causes a "margin convenience" toward the greater tuberosity, enhancing the mechanics of the construct by decreasing the strain at the free margin of the rotator cuff tear. By combining tendon-to-tendon repair with the tendon-to-bone repair, the surgeon can create a functional rotator cuff in most patients with massive tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Burkhart
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques