Burkhart and Lo's 2006 JAAOS review synthesizes the biomechanical principles and technical evolution underpinning arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, addressing how to classify tear patterns, select repair strategies, and optimize fixation constructs to match or exceed open repair outcomes.
When you encounter a U- or L-shaped tear, resist the instinct to pull the apex straight to bone — recognize the pattern, place margin convergence sutures first to offload the repair margin sixfold, then secure the converged edge to bone.
For subscapularis tears with retraction, find the comma sign at the superolateral tendon border before chasing the tendon edge blindly.
Burkhart and Lo's 2006 JAAOS review synthesizes the biomechanical principles and technical evolution underpinning arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, addressing how to classify tear patterns, select repair strategies, and optimize fixation constructs to match or exceed open repair outcomes.
When you encounter a U- or L-shaped tear, resist the instinct to pull the apex straight to bone — recognize the pattern, place margin convergence sutures first to offload the repair margin sixfold, then secure the converged edge to bone.
For subscapularis tears with retraction, find the comma sign at the superolateral tendon border before chasing the tendon edge blindly.