Hyaluronic Acid-Biocompatible Implant System for Rotator Cuff Augmentation

Rotator cuff tears continue to have a high incidence of retear rates despite improvements in implants and repair techniques. The management of rotator cuff tears remains challenging because of the variability in both patient and tear pathology, without any universally accepted treatment to improve repair outcomes. Biologic patch augmentation has gained interest to enhance tendon healing, reduce retear rates, and restore the rotator cuff footprint. This Technical Note aims to describe a surgical technique using a hyaluronic acid-based biocompatible implant for both partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears. For partial-thickness tears, an onlay technique is used, placing the implant directly on the bursal surface of the tendon without formal suture repair. In full-thickness tears, the implant is applied over a completed standard rotator cuff repair construct to augment tendon-to-bone healing. This technique offers an alternative to currently utilized rotator cuff repair augmentation options.