KUWAIT: In a medical first for Kuwait, a surgical team at Farwaniya Hospital successfully repaired a chronic shoulder tendon tear using a biological patch, offering new hope to patients with severe tendon damage. The groundbreaking procedure was performed entirely through arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique that avoids open surgery. According to the team, the use of a biological graft significantly speeds up recovery and enhances shoulder function in cases where traditional tendon repair would not be possible.
“We performed a repair for a patient with a chronic tendon tear that had been present for over a year,” said Lead Surgeon Dr Bader Albesharah in an interview with KTV which aired on Monday. “The tendons were severely damaged — they had turned from fibrous tissue into fatty layers — so conventional methods couldn’t work.”
Rotator cuff tears, like the one treated in this case, are common – affecting about one in three people over the age of 60. While surgical repair is often effective, studies show that full tendon healing occurs in only about 60 percent of cases, even with advances in surgical techniques and implants. This has prompted surgeons around the world to explore new strategies to improve outcomes – one of which is the use of biological patches to support the healing process.
Instead, the team used a biological patch, which acts as a scaffold for new tendon tissue to form. “The patch provides an excellent environment for a new tendon to grow,” Dr Albesharah explained. “It supports tendon healing and helps restore joint function more quickly and effectively.”
Biological patches, also known as extracellular matrix (ECM) grafts, are made from human or animal tissue that has been processed to support tendon regeneration. They’re designed to integrate into the body’s tissue, promoting blood flow and delivering proteins that help new tendon fibers grow. In rotator cuff surgeries, these patches act like scaffolding, reinforcing weak or damaged areas and increasing the likelihood of successful healing. The innovative technique is especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, or other metabolic disorders that compromise tendon health.
“In advanced cases, even if you try to reattach the tendon using traditional methods, it won’t hold. There’s just no viable tissue left,” said Dr Albesharah. “But with the biological patch, a new, strong tendon can form. After about a year, the body absorbs the patch naturally.”
The patient is currently undergoing physiotherapy and is expected to fully recover and return to normal life. “The operation was a success, and the patient was discharged the next day,” Dr Abdullah Al-Dha’eena told KTV. “She will wear an arm sling for a month while continuing physical therapy, then gradually resume daily activities.”
