Patients suffering severe irrepairable tears of the posterosuperior rotator cuff may be considered for a latissimus (lat) dorsi transfer. The posterosuperior tendons of the rotator including the infraspinatus and the posterior supraspinatus tendons act as external rotators for the shoulder. These tendons assist movement including lifting and use of the arm overhead.
A lat dorsi transfer is a procedure that involves transferring the lat dorsi tendon and possibly the teres major tendon from an internal rotator to an external rotator. This procedure is commonly used in conjunction with a reverse total shoulder replacement.
Dr Cutbush is currently developing an all arthroscopic method of performing a latissimus dorsi transfer. He has recently successfully performed his first all arthroscopic lat dorsi transfer.
