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Treatment Options for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Arthroscopic Tendon Transfers

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Shoulder Arthroscopy

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Abstract

Indications and techniques for tendon transfer in irreparable rotator cuff tears have significantly progressed and are no longer restricted to the sole external rotation deficit.

This chapter first reviews the various types of tear and corresponding tendon transfers.

The indication of choice for tendon transfer is iterative tear following failure of isolated long biceps tenotomy or partial repair. Latissimus dorsi, inferior trapezius, and pectoralis major transfer are the three types to be used after failure of primary surgery.

Latissimus dorsi transfer is indicated for partial loss of active elevation or isolated loss of internal rotation. Inferior trapezius transfer is best indicated for isolated loss active of external rotation.

In pseudoparalytic shoulder with either total loss of active elevation or not powerful enough to restore active range of motion, it should be associated with reverse arthroplasty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinique de l’Union, Saint Jean, France

    Jean Kany

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  1. Jean Kany
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Correspondence to Jean Kany .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Joint and Bone Surgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Giuseppe Milano

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Casa di Cura Villa Valeria, Rome, Roma, Italy

    Andrea Grasso

  3. Shoulder and Upper Limb Department, St. Luke's Hospital, Bielsko-Biała, Poland

    Roman Brzóska

  4. Department of Traumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Ladislav Kovačič

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Kany, J. (2023). Treatment Options for Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Arthroscopic Tendon Transfers. In: Milano, G., Grasso, A., Brzóska, R., Kovačič, L. (eds) Shoulder Arthroscopy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66868-9_44

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66868-9_44

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