Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Treatment

by Denis Nam, Travis G. Maak, Bradley S. Raphael, Christopher K. Kepler, Michael B. Cross, and Russell F. Warren

J Bone Joint Surg AmVolume 94(6):e34March 21, 2012

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Fig. 1-A Anterior view of the right glenohumeral joint.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Anteroposterior (Fig. 4-A) and axillary (Fig. 4-B) radiographs of a shoulder with a prior rotator cuff repair demonstrating acetabulization, femoralization, and superior migration of the humeral

head.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

The Seebauer classification system is a biomechanical description of rotator cuff tear arthropathy based on clinical and radiographic parameters.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Anteroposterior radiograph of the left shoulder demonstrating a hemiarthroplasty performed to treat a proximal humeral fracture (left).

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

A proposed treatment algorithm for the management of a massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear.

Denis Nam et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94:e34

©2012 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.