Editorial Commentary: Shoulder Superior Capsule Reconstruction Leads to Good Outcomes Despite Ambiguous Graft Healing Suggesting a Spacer Effect.

Abstract

Massive, retracted rotator cuff tears with poor tissue quality continue to pose a problem for the shoulder surgeon. Augmentation of such repairs with grafts, patches, spacers, or biologics is being closely investigated to help improve clinical outcomes and healing rates. Specifically, superior capsule reconstruction augmentation of such rotator cuff tears may lead to good outcomes. However, we do not truly understand how much native cuff tissue or graft healing is actually taking place. Clinically, superior capsule reconstruction augmentation of rotator cuff repair may simply be serving as a spacer.