Failure of dermal allograft remodeling and integration after superior capsular reconstruction for an irreparable rotator cuff tear: a case study 70 months postimplantation

Rotator cuff tears are a well known contributor of morbidity for middle-aged and elderly individuals in the United States and are the leading cause of shoulder surgery for this patient population, leading to an unpredictable clinical outcome.8,9 Although the incidence of rotator cuff tears may be difficult to determine due to asymptomatic patients, it has been reported in some studies to be nearly 25.6% for patients in their 60s and more than 50% in their 80s.15 Irreparable tears are usually defined as any tear involving 2 or more tendons, a defect >5 cm, a Goutallier grade of 2 or greater, significant retraction of the tear to the level of the glenoid, and muscular atrophy.