title: The Rotator Interval of the Shoulder: Implications in the Treatment of Shoulder Instability.
abstract: Biomechanical studies have shown that repair or plication of rotator interval (RI) ligamentous and capsular structures decreases glenohumeral joint laxity in various directions. Clinical outcomes studies have reported successful outcomes after repair or plication of these structures in patients undergoing shoulder stabilization procedures. Recent studies describing arthroscopic techniques to address these structures have intensified the debate over the potential benefit of these procedures as well as highlighted the differences between open and arthroscopic RI procedures. The purposes of this study were to review the structures of the RI and their contribution to shoulder instability, to discuss the biomechanical and clinical effects of repair or plication of rotator interval structures, and to describe the various surgical techniques used for these procedures and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Nikhil N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Center SC, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Mologne
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Provencher
keywords: coracohumeral ligament; rotator interval; rotator interval plication; shoulder instability