Many treatment options have been proposed for treatment of irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Among these options, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer can be considered a good alternative, especially in young patients before development of glenohumeral arthritic changes, aiming at rebalancing the shoulder with a functioning subscapularis muscle and restoring both active external rotation and elevation with the aid of a properly functioning deltoid muscle. The technique was recently adapted from open to arthroscopically assisted with numerous advantages. We propose a combined fully arthroscopic technique for transfer of latissimus dorsi and teres major in which the tendons are fixed in a flat manner at the junction of supraspinatus and infraspinatus to decrease failure rate.
Arthroscopic stabilization of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations using coracoclavicular suspension techniques has become more popular, but lack of horizontal stability is a major concern that furthermore affects the final outcome. We present an arthroscopic technique to stabilize acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations in both the vertical and horizontal planes, with better results than conventional coracoclavicular suspension techniques.
Chronic acromioclavicular joint dislocations (ACJDs) develop when there is failure of conservative treatment, failed surgical treatment of acute ACJD, or simply missing the treatment in the acute healing phase. There is wide agreement that mechanical fixation alone in chronic ACJD is not sufficient and biological augmentation is necessary. Various arthroscopic techniques for reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligament have been described, but allografts are expensive, are not available in all centers, carry the risk of disease transmission, and are “dead tissue” with a poor capacity for healing. Autografts are associated with donor-site morbidity and avascular structures. Moreover, these grafts are associated with a high risk of clavicular or coracoid fractures owing to large tunnels. We present an arthroscopic technique to transfer the coracoacromial ligament to the inferior surface of the lateral part of the clavicle in chronic ACJD, augmented with 2 clavicular buttons and a single coracoid button in a V-shaped configuration. The technique has various advantages including better stabilization, anatomic reconstruction, and a minimal risk of fracture of the coracoid and clavicle with small tunnels, using a vascularized graft with arthroscopic control of reduction.
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