Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer or Partial Arthroscopic Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Exclusion Criteria

• •Absence of functioning latissimus dorsi muscle (assessed by "cough test"
• •Absence of subscapularis muscle insertion (assessed by MRI)
• •Glenohumeral arthritis of Grade 2 or higher, including evidence of acromio-humeral arthritis
• •Acute tears (identifiable injury which precluded symptoms in past 6 months)
• •Neurologic injury causing paralysis of affected shoulder girdle/arm
• •Limited life expectancy due to significant medical co-morbidity or medical contraindication to surgery (ASA Grade IV or higher)
• •Anticipated problems, in the judgement of the investigators, with maintaining follow-up (i.e. patients with no fixed address, patients not mentally competent to give consent, etc.)