Rotator Cuff Disease for the Fellowship Exam

Description

In a comprehensive webinar on orthopedic principles, hosted by Hitesh Gopalan, Professor Bijayendra Singh discusses the nuances of rotator cuff tears, focusing on their clinical relevance for fellowship exams. Professor Singh, an esteemed professor from Canterbury Christ Church University, shares his expertise on rotator cuff anatomy, tear classifications, and management strategies.



Starting with an overview of the rotator cuff's structure—comprising the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor—he emphasizes the supraspinatus's prominence in injuries. He elaborates on various presentations of rotator cuff tears, distinguishing between partial and full thickness, and goes into detail about the classification systems, such as Ellman's criteria for partial thickness tears and the Patter classification for assessing retraction levels.



Professor Singh highlights the importance of understanding both intrinsic and extrinsic factors leading to rotator cuff tears, with repetitive use often being a primary cause. He discusses the implications of these injuries on patient treatment plans and the critical role of imaging techniques like MRI and ultrasound in diagnosis.



The presentation progresses to surgical considerations, contrasting approaches for different tear sizes, and discussing operative techniques including single and double row repair methods. He concludes by addressing rehabilitation protocols and recent studies on the natural history of rotator cuff tears, emphasizing pain management and functional recovery post-surgery.



The session wraps up with a Q&A segment where Hitesh and Bijayendra explore contemporary studies and clinical practices, underscoring the evolving landscape of shoulder surgery. Professor Singh encourages audience engagement with his educational videos available on his YouTube channel, aiming to improve understanding and techniques in orthopedic practices.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221904

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