Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty with Tendon Transfer Using Single Incision for Massive Rotator Cuff Tear with Loss of External Rotation

In patients with massive rotator cuff tears, operative treatment is considered if there is no improvement after conservative treatment. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an option among several treatments. However, in cases of massive rotator cuff tears that extend to the teres minor with combined loss of active elevation and external rotation, reverse shoulder arthroplasty alone might not restore the active external rotation. As a consequence, patients continue to feel inconvenienced in performing activities of daily living. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty, with latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer, can restore functional range of motion in forward fl exion and in external rotation. Herein, we report a case of massive rotator cuff tear with literature review