Purpose: Rotator cuff tears are among the most common problems managed by orthopaedic surgeons. Recently developed orthobiologic implants have become popular adjuncts to surgical repair, particularly in patients with a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear. These implants are designed to provide a biological scaffold environment, which is thought to enhance the native healing response. This video demonstrates arthroscopic rotator cuff repair augmented with the use of a collagen-based bioinductive implant.

Methods: Surgical repair is indicated in patients with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear in whom nonsurgical treatment fails. A bioinductive implant is indicated in patients with an articular-sided or interstitial tear larger than 50% of the tendon thickness or to augment full-thickness rotator cuff repair in patients with poor tissue quality. This video demonstrates arthroscopic repair in a 55-year-old man with a delaminated rotator cuff tear that is larger than 50% of the articular surface. The bioinductive patch is inserted arthroscopically into the subacromial space and placed over the bursal surface of the rotator cuff.

Results: The patient's arm was placed in a sling for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, after which 4 to 6 weeks of passive range of motion therapy was recommended. The patient then progressed to passive resistance range of motion exercises. Second-look arthroscopy performed 3 months postoperatively revealed complete incorporation of the patch.

Conclusion: Orthobiologic implants play a large role in the future of orthopaedic surgery. They may play a role as adjuncts in rotator cuff repair, particularly in patients with a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear. Knowledge of the correct surgical technique to implant these devices is increasingly important for orthopaedic surgeons.