Editorial Commentary: Yet Another Arrow in the Quiver for Surgical Treatment of the Rotator Cuff-Deficient Shoulder: Will It Fly Fast and Far or Fall Short Like Other Options Have?

Abstract

Rotator cuff tears are common. When indicated, surgical repair is a highly successful procedure. There are circumstances when there is not enough tendon to perform an anatomic repair because of tear size, retraction, and/or atrophy. This clinical scenario, massive irreparable rotator cuff tear, has no perfect solution. Many options exist in treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tears: partial tendon repairs, debridement, tuberoplasty, intercalary allograft repairs, tendon transfers, superior capsular reconstruction, hemiarthroplasty, arthrodesis, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. No superior technique has been described. Another treatment has been added to this list: inserting a biodegradable balloon within the subacromial space to reduce the articulation of the humeral head on the acromion and aid in recentering the humeral head to restore balance to the remaining rotator cuff and improve deltoid function.