The management of patients with a failed rotator cuff repair is challenging. Revision arthroscopic repairs can be entertained in select patients when realistic outcomes are understood. Complete evaluation of the shoulder is needed to identify and treat potential confounding pain generators. The ability to determine if a recurrent tear is repairable is difficult, because there are no established criteria to make this determination. If a recurrent tear is found to be repairable, the results of the surgery are encouraging, although persistent limitations in shoulder function are common. Strategies to improve the rates of tendon healing should be used and include the use of stronger repair constructs, when possible, and implementation of a slower rehabilitation progression.
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