Codman's 1911 case series — the first known English-language report of operative rotator cuff repair — describes two patients with complete supraspinatus tendon rupture treated by open surgical re-attachment at Massachusetts General Hospital, asking whether complete tears can be surgically repaired to restore abduction function.
While modern rotator cuff repair techniques have evolved significantly, understanding Codman's pioneering work provides historical context for current surgical principles and demonstrates the longstanding recognition of supraspinatus tears as surgically treatable conditions.
Codman's 1911 case series — the first known English-language report of operative rotator cuff repair — describes two patients with complete supraspinatus tendon rupture treated by open surgical re-attachment at Massachusetts General Hospital, asking whether complete tears can be surgically repaired to restore abduction function.
While modern rotator cuff repair techniques have evolved significantly, understanding Codman's pioneering work provides historical context for current surgical principles and demonstrates the longstanding recognition of supraspinatus tears as surgically treatable conditions.