title: Transfer of the long head of the triceps tendon for irreparable rotator cuff tears.
abstract: This study presents the clinical and anatomic findings of the use of the long head of the triceps tendon for treatment of massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. The clinical study included 19 shoulders in 18 patients with a minimum followup of 2 years who were prospectively reviewed. All patients had preoperative and postoperative functional evaluations using the UCLA scoring system. The anatomic study included 20 upper extremities that had been injected with Microfil. All patients in the clinical study were satisfied with their outcome. There was an improvement in the UCLA pain and function scores. The long head of the triceps tendon is a myotendinous vascularized transfer that is a useful reconstructive procedure in patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears that continue to be symptomatic despite conventional attempts at repair.
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. art.malkani@louisville.edu
authors.forename: Arthur L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Malkani
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sundine
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Tillett
authors.forename: Dale L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Rainie A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome