Failed and Revision Rotator Cuff Repair

With an increasing incidence of rotator cuff repairs (RCRs), and by extension, RCR failures, surgeons must be facile in the diagnosis and management of this complication. A detailed history and physical exam as well as familiarity with the patient-specific, anatomic, and technical variables that increase a patient’s risk of RCR failure is critical. Modifiable factors should be addressed prior to revision RCR and non-modifiable factors should be examined as they may disqualify an individual from a revision attempt. A methodical surgical approach is critical. In general, outcomes following revision RCR are typically favorable although inferior than those following primary RCR.