The rotator cuff muscles surround and stabilize the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tears result when the tendons of these muscles are torn from the upper arm bone. This can occur with sudden injuries or develop slowly from wear and tear over time, leading to pain and decreased shoulder motion.
When repairing a rotator cuff tear, the surgeon carefully evaluates the size and quality of the tear, along with the patient’s overall health, to determine how likely the tendon is to heal. If the chance of healing is lower, the surgeon may choose to reinforce the repair using a tissue graft. This added support can help strengthen the repair and improve the healing process.
