title: Full thickness tears:  retaining the cuff.
abstract: Repair of rotator cuff tears is technically challenging. Full thickness rotator cuff tears have no potential for spontaneous healing, no reliable tendons substitutes are available, and their management is only partially understood. Many factors seem to contribute to the final outcome, and considerable variations in the decision-making process exist. For these reasons, decisions are often taken on the basis of surgeon's clinical experience. Accurate and prompt diagnosis is fundamental to guide correct management, and the tear pattern should be carefully evaluated to planning the most appropriate repair.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Hesperia Hospital, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osti
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzello
authors.forename: Manlio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panascì
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denaro
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome