Review of Ortho-Biologics in Rotator Cuff Repair

Abstract

Rotator cuff repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in orthopedics, yet rates of postoperative failure and retear remain relatively high. Poor biology and limited healing potential at the cuff insertion are frequently cited as potential confounders to otherwise technically successful surgeries. Over the past several years, ortho-biologics have been developed in an attempt to augment rotator cuff repairs. The following review will briefly cover normal biomechanics and histology of the rotator cuff and how this is altered in cuff tears, provide an in-depth summary of the available literature on various ortho-biologic agents, outline the limitations of each agent and give an idea on the future of ortho-biologics in rotator cuff.