A study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
Our latest publication has appeared in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery: "Combined cuff repair and superior capsular reconstruction reinforcement in patients with massive rotator cuff (re)tears: a minimum 2 year clinical and radiological follow up."
What was studied
The study examined outcomes following a combined rotator cuff repair and superior capsular reconstruction reinforcement, abbreviated to CRACR. The approach is used for massive tears, including those that have retorn after a previous repair, where repair alone is at high risk of failing again.
What was found
At two years there were significant improvements in patient reported shoulder function and in pain. Imaging, however, revealed isolated failures, which is why longer term follow up matters: a result that looks good at two years is not necessarily durable, and the imaging and the symptoms do not always agree.
Individual results vary, and these findings come from a single series rather than a comparison against an untreated group.
Why it matters
This adds to the continuing discussion about the alternatives to shoulder replacement for complex massive cuff tears, which is a real question for younger patients in particular.
Read the study
Read the full study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
Related information
See our rotator cuff repair page, and our posts on rotator cuff repairs and retear and superior capsular reconstruction.