title: Tendon transfer for irreparable rotator cuff tears: indications and surgical rationale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  treatment of symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tears is extremely challenging because, at present, there are no ideal solutions to this problem. Many patients respond favorably to nonsurgical treatment. However, when conservative measures fail to improve the patient's pain and disability, surgery should be considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  different surgical techniques are available and the choice of the most appropriate procedure depends on the presenting symptoms, age of the patient, functional demand, medical comorbidities, joint stability and presence of arthritic changes. The transposition of the surrounding muscles to replace the rotator cuff function represents a viable option in the treatment of younger patients without glenohumeral osteoarthritis and with severe functional limitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  aim of this study is to give an overview of the currently available evidence regarding tendon transfer procedures for irreparable rotator cuff tears.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy ; Biomechanics laboratory "Marco Simoncelli", D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Cattolica, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Merolla
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Istituto Chirurgico Ortopedico Traumatologico (ICOT), Latina, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chillemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerciello
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
authors.affiliation: Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paladini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica - AUSl della Romagna Ambito Territoriale di Rimini, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porcellini
keywords: irreparable tears; rotator cuff; shoulder; tendon transfer