Superior Capsule Reconstruction: What Do We Know?

Document Type : CURRENT CONCEPTS REVIEW

Authors

1 Rowley Bristow Unit, Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust, Chertsey, UK

2 Rowley Bristow Unit, Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Trust, Chertsey, UK Fortius Clinic, London, UK

Abstract

The management of irreparable rotator cuff tears remains challenging. Since its introduction by Mihata in 2012, superior
capsule reconstruction (SCR) has grown in popularity at an astonishingly rapid rate. The aim of this article is to provide
a comprehensive review of the available literature, in order to highlight what has so far been published on SCR,
covering all aspects including biomechanical, clinical and radiological studies as well as descriptions of the various
techniques for performing the procedure.
The short-term clinical results of SCR are promising, but there is need for further long-term studies, as well as randomised
controlled trials comparing SCR to other treatment modalities for irreparable rotator cuff tears. Further imaging studies
looking at graft healing rates are also required as the healing rates published so far are variable. Additionally, the
mechanism of action by which SCR delivers good short-term functional outcomes needs further clarification, as does
the importance of the choice of graft type and thickness.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 7, Issue 1
January and February 2019
Pages 3-11

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 June 2018
  • Revise Date: 03 October 2018
  • Accept Date: 06 October 2018

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