Tuberoplasty: Indications, Technique, and Preliminary Results

Abstract

The optimal approach to treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (MIRCTs) continues to be debated among shoulder surgeons. While nonsurgical treatment is a reasonable option for some, many of these patients continue to experience pain, weakness, and overall limited function of the shoulder [1], [2]. Superior capsular reconstruction has become a widely accepted approach to treatment of MIRCT, however there exists several technical and biologic challenges of this technique. Overcoming many of these difficulties, a recently described technique involves the placement of a biological interpositional graft over the greater tuberosity which acts as a permanent spacer between the humerus and acromion[3]. With the primary goal of providing pain relief, this technique may function to improve the benefit of rehab following MIRCT. In this article, we describe the indications, technique, and early outcomes of this so-called “tuberoplasty” approach to MIRCT.