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Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
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Failed Acromioplasty / Rotator Cuff Surgery



- Discussion:
    - recurrent rotator cuff tear:
          - ref: Mode of failure for rotator cuff repair with suture anchors identified at revision surgery
    - deltoid injury:
          - may occur from axillary nerve palsy or from avulsion of deltoid off the acromion;
          - detached anterior deltoid may be diagnosed by careful palpation on physical exam;
          - consider EMG to determine whether the injury is an neuropraxia or neurotmesis;
    - superior migration of the humeral head:
          - is more apt to occur w/ massive rotator cuff tears;
          - may occur due to excision of CA ligament and excessive acromioplasty;
    - missed diagnosis
          - nerve palsy:
              - w/ failed rotator cuff surgery, consider obtaining an MRI of the shoulder, to
                        evaluate for space occupying lesion causing suprascapular nerve palsy;
              - also consider EMG:
          - occult instability: (anterior or multi-directional)
          - biceps tendonitis
          - AC joint arthrosis:
          - os acromiale:
              - ref: Os acromiale: anatomy and surgical implications.
          - recurrent impingement:
          - cervical spondylosis:
          - reflex sympathetic dystrophy
          - thoracic outlet syndrome
          - glenohumeral osteoarthritis;

- Management Suggestions:
    - revision acromioplasty in worker's compensation patients is unlikely to improve symptoms;
    - if a specific diagnosis can be made (either recurrent impingement or other), then a second
            operation may be indicated;







Failed Repair of the Rotator Cuff. Evaluation and Treatment of Complications.
    E.H. Karas MD and J.P. Iannotti MD PH.D.   JBJS. Vol 79-A, No 5, May 1997. p. 784-793.

Superior Humeral Dislocation: A Complication Following Decompression and Debridement for Rotator Cuff Tears.

Operative Treatment of failed repairs of the rotator cuff.
    LU Bigliani et al.   JBJS Vol 74-A. 1992. p 1505-1515.

Failed anterior acromioplasty. A review of 51 cases.
    RJ Hawkins MD et al.   CORR. No 243. June, 1989. p 106.













Original Text by Clifford R. Wheeless, III, MD.