When the rotator cuff tears, what typically happens is that the tendon portion pulls away from the bone. As the muscle continues to pull, the gap between the torn edge of the tendon and it’s bony footprint increase. We refer to that as retraction. This model shows a tear of the Supraspinatus tendon. You can manipulate the model and rotate it. It also has two “chapters”. If you click on the arrows in the bottom right corner, it will allow you to go back and forth between intact and torn tendon.

This is an animation of a double row rotator cuff repair using two groups of anchors to hold the rotator cuff tendon down to it’s footprint on the bone. The animation is made from taking parts of videos available on the Stryker website.