Deltoid Injury in Rotator Cuff Surgery

Detachment of the deltoid origin after rotator cuff repair is an uncommon complication. In most cases in which the detachment is greater than 4 cm and/or involves the middle deltoid the patient is symptomatic. Pain and weakness are the primary symptoms. Early clinical diagnosis and repair of the defect affords the best chance of recovery. Deltoid denervation can result in severe shoulder weakness. The occurrence of a denervated deltoid can be minimized by careful surgical technique that limits the surgical split of the deltoid muscle fibers. Salvage procedures for rotational deltoplasty and muscle transfers are difficult procedures with limited functional goals.