Rotator cuff repairs and reconstructions
Surgical constructs, assemblies, and methods for rotator cuff reinforcement are disclosed. Side tissue of a reconstructed rotator cuff is secured with at least one flexible coupler and at least one fixation device secured to bone.
1 . A rotator cuff reconstruction method comprising:
repairing a rotator cuff by attaching the rotator cuff to bone from medial to lateral and by employing at least one flexible strand and a plurality of medial and lateral fixation devices to form a repaired rotator cuff; and
securing unrepaired side tissue located on at least one of anterior and posterior sides of the repaired rotator cuff with at least one flexible coupler to form a reconstructed rotator cuff with secured side tissue, wherein securing the unrepaired side tissue includes forming at least one suturing or stitched region along the repaired rotator cuff and by providing a plurality of suture passes over the unrepaired side tissue with the at least one flexible coupler.
2 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the unrepaired side tissue to bone without tying knots.
3 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching the at least one flexible coupler to the repaired rotator cuff and to at least another fixation device.
4 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 3 , further comprising attaching the at least one flexible coupler to a repair limb of the repaired rotator cuff.
5 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 4 , wherein the repair limb is a medial-lateral repair limb of the repaired rotator cuff.
6 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 3 , wherein the at least another fixation device is a knotless anchor.
7 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 3 , wherein the at least another fixation device is a knotted anchor.
8 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible coupler is suture or suture tape.
9 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one suturing or stitched region extends along at least one dimension of the side tissue.
10 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a biological construct to reinforce the at least one suturing or stitched region.
11 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 10 , wherein the biological construct is graft, collagen, collagen patch or biological material.
12 . The rotator cuff reconstruction method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible coupler is a combination of suture and suture tape.