Open treatment options in massive rotator cuff tears associated with acromion non-union

Abstract

We evaluated the available English literature for cases of acromion non-union and rotator cuff tear, looking at surgical methods of treatment as well as at functional results. As expected, the literature regarding rotator cuff pathology was found to be abundant, and a good number of articles were found regarding acromion non-union, but articles concerning the association of the two were scarce. Treatment recommendations varied, and were made on a case-to-case fashion. The accepted treatment methods for acromion non-union consist of non-surgical management, open or arthroscopic fragment removal, open or arthroscopic reduction and fixation (bone grafting may be used), while the rotator cuff witll be reinserted with anchors. In this rare occurence, a large rotator cuff tear with retracted tendons combined with an acromion non-union are usually repaired by an open technique in an one-stage surgery, with good results. In order to chose the right treatment option scapular kinematics must be taken into consideration especially when acromial fractures are associated with rotator cuff tears.