Rotator Cuff Healing: Improving Biology

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. Despite surgical repair, high rotator cuff re-tear rates are seen and may lead to poor outcomes. There are numerous patient, biologic and biomechanical factors that lead to the high re-tear rates. Biologics have the potential to improve rotator cuff tendon healing, but, its role in orthopaedics is still controversial with evolving indications, uses and strategies. Additional research is necessary to further define the benefit and uses of biologics as an augmentation to rotator cuff repair.