<i>Editorial Commentary:</i> Rotator Cuff Tear: Know When Not to Operate So You Don't Make It Worse

Shoulder rotator cuff repair results in significantly improved outcomes compared with conservative treatment, but some repairs result in retear and, worst of all, enlarged retears (i.e., tears larger after surgery than primarily). Elevated serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels and fatty infiltration of the infraspinatus are significantly related to symptomatic failed rotator cuff repair. Hypertension could also be a risk factor. In such cases, nonoperative treatment, reverse shoulder prosthesis (in older patients), or alternative joint-preserving procedures (superior capsular reconstruction, subacromial balloon spacer, multiple-tendon interposition autografts, augmentation of the long head of the biceps, or tendon transfers such as latissimus dorsi transfer and lower trapezius transfer) could be considered or are worthy of future investigation.