The insertional footprint of the rotator cuff: an anatomic study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define the entire rotator cuff footprint and relate it to known, easily identifiable landmarks as a guide for both open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Anatomic: Gross and microscopic.

Methods: The myotendinous units of the rotator cuff and their insertions onto the humerus were dissected in 20 fresh-frozen cadavers.

The biomechanical effects of low-dose irradiation on bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts.

Background: Despite evidence that low-dose irradiation of 2 Mrad (20 kGy) is not virucidal for patellar tendon allografts and reduces tissue strength, many tissue bank protocols include low-dose irradiation.

Hypothesis: Maintaining tissue mechanical integrity may be particularly relevant toward accelerated rehabilitation of the injured knee, where the cyclic function of patellar tendon allografts is critical.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.