Rotator cuff repair with the REGENETEN◊ Bioinductive Implant
Learn about a different way of treating rotator cuff tears with the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant.
Rotator cuff repair done differently with the REGENETEN◊ Bioinductive Implant
The REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant is designed to heal tears in the rotator cuff. It may be used on its own as an alternative to standard treatment or applied as an addition to a standard repair.
When the REGENETEN Implant is used as a stand-alone treatment, typically for partial-thickness tears, it has been shown to reduce recovery time.1-2* In fact, for some patients, it may reduce recovery time in a sling by as much as half!1*
The REGENETEN Implant is a small collagen patch – about the size of a postage stamp – that is attached to your rotator cuff tendon during surgery. The collagen serves as a “scaffold” for your tendon to grow new tissue.3-9 Over time, the implant is absorbed by the body and the new tissue remains.3-9
REGENETEN Implant patient success stories
The REGENETEN Implant has been used to help more than 150,000 patients globally.↕ Hear some of their stories below. (Individual results may vary)
Craig
“You know you’re in trouble when you can’t hug your kids.”
Craig was a busy father and professional when shoulder pain hit. He went from exercising daily and enjoying a range of sports to struggling with basic tasks.
“I couldn’t lift my arm over my head,” says Craig. “I struggled to take a shower and get dressed in the morning.”
Over the next 18 months, he tried several non-surgical treatments without improvement at this point, the orthopedic specialist recommended surgery. He talked to Craig about a surgical rotator cuff repair with the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant.
“The results were beyond my expectations,” says Craig. “I regained shoulder strength and range of motion faster than I expected, and I even got back to enjoying golf. Most importantly, I was pain-free and able to play with my kids again.”
Nick
High school teacher and “coach-dad” who was able to recover from a partial-thickness tear with the help of the REGENETEN Implant.
Denise
Flight attendant and new grandmother who found relief from shoulder pain with the REGENETEN Implant – and shared her story with Access Health on Lifetime TV.
Francois
Devoted cyclist who injured his shoulder in a bike accident and got back on the road with help from the REGENETEN Implant.
The patient testimonial(s) depicted represent the individual patient’s own opinions, findings, beliefs, and/or experiences. Individual results will vary. Not everyone who receives a product or treatment will experience the same or similar results; results may vary depending on a number of factors, including each patient’s specific circumstances and condition, and compliance with the applicable Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew is not responsible for the selection of any treatment by a healthcare professional to be used on a particular patient. Smith+Nephew makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or assurances as to the availability, accuracy, currency or completeness of the information presented or its contents.
What are the benefits of the REGENETEN implant?
The REGENETEN implant has been used to treat rotator cuff tears for more than ten years. Clinical studies have shown that it may offer these benefits:
How does the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant work?
The REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant is inserted into your shoulder using small arthroscopic incisions and attached to your rotator cuff using tissue and bone staples. Over the span of 6 months, the implant is absorbed and replaced by new tissue.6,7**
What are the types of rotator cuff tears?
There are two general types of rotator cuff tears: partial-thickness tears and full-thickness tears.
What are the types of rotator cuff repairs?
The traditional repair for a rotator cuff tear involves suturing the torn tendon and using anchors to reattach it to the arm bone. The REGENETEN implant offers two newer options for treatment. It may be used on its own as an alternative to standard treatment or applied as an addition to a standard repair.
Is the REGENETEN Bioinductive Implant right for me?
To find out if the REGENETEN implant is a treatment option, make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. The surgeon will examine your shoulder and review your health situation in determining if rotator cuff repair is recommended.
Blog: Patient recovery stories
Want to learn more about REGENETEN?
To learn more about REGENETEN, complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Supporting Information
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, visit OrthoInfo.
What is the rotator cuff, and what does it do?
The shoulder functions as a ball-and-socket joint, where the rounded head of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into a shallow socket in the shoulder blade (scapula).
The rotator cuff consists of four muscles whose tendons merge to form a protective “cuff” around the top of the humerus.
This group of muscles allows the arm to lift and rotate, while keeping the humeral head securely positioned within the shoulder joint.
What causes a rotator cuff tear, and how can I tell if I have one?
A rotator cuff tear may occur suddenly after an injury, such as a fall, or develop gradually due to age-related tendon degeneration and overuse.
Typical symptoms include pain in the front or side of the shoulder that may extend down the arm, particularly during activities involving overhead movement – like throwing, serving, or reaching into a high cabinet.
Pain may worsen when lying on the affected side, and you might experience arm weakness or difficulty with everyday motions such as dressing or combing your hair.
In cases of acute injury, a tear may cause sudden, sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by a “popping” sensation and immediate loss of strength.
When should I see a doctor?
You should consult an orthopaedic surgeon if you’ve had a shoulder injury or are experiencing persistent shoulder or arm pain.
The doctor may recommend imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
Getting an early assessment and treatment can help prevent loss of strength or mobility.
If a diagnosis has already been made by your primary physician, an orthopaedic specialist can review both surgical and nonsurgical management options.
When does a rotator cuff tear require surgery?
Surgery may be advised if:
- Pain or weakness continues despite nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy
- You are physically active and rely on your arms for overhead movements — for example, athletes (tennis, golf, cricket, volleyball, swimming), or professionals such as construction workers, painters, electricians, healthcare workers, miners, and wheelchair users
- The tear is complete and caused by a recent traumatic injury
Risks
All surgery has risks and the potential for complications. The risks associated with the REGENETEN Implant in clinical studies occur at a similar rate as the risk of adverse events for standard surgical treatment. Talk to your surgeon about any concerns you may have before you decide on treatment. Some of the possible risks and complications for all rotator cuff repairs include: blood clotting, infection, pneumonia, nerve problems, long-term pain and stiffness in the shoulder, and rotator cuff re-tear.
This is not a complete list of risks. In some cases, you may need additional surgery to address a complication. Talk to your surgeon about the possible risks for your specific health situation.
Disclaimers
↕ Based on implant sales 2018-2024.
All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not meant as medical advice. Not everyone is a candidate for rotator cuff repair using the REGENETEN◊ Bioinductive Implant, and individual results of surgery may vary. Every patient’s case is unique, and each patient should follow his or her doctor’s specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication, and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency, please call 911 and seek emergency help.The patient testimonial(s) depicted represent the individual patient’s own opinions, findings, beliefs, and/or experiences. Individual results will vary. Not everyone who receives a product or treatment will experience the same or similar results; results may vary depending on a number of factors, including each patient’s specific circumstances and condition, and compliance with the applicable Instructions for Use. Smith+Nephew is not responsible for the selection of any treatment by a healthcare professional to be used on a particular patient. Smith+Nephew makes no representations, warranties, guarantees or assurances as to the availability, accuracy, currency or completeness of the information presented or its contents.
◊ Trademark of Smith+Nephew. 45266 v3 8/2025
Citations
* Compared to takedown and (suture anchor) repair
** On human biopsy (n=1) and in-vivo sampling
*** Study conducted in stable complete tears
- Camacho Chacón JA, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2024;33(9):1894-1904
- Bushnell BD, et al. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021;9(8):23259671211027850.
- Bokor DJ, Sonnabend D, Deady L, et al. Muscles, Ligaments Tendons J 2016;6(1):16-25.
- Schlegel TF, Abrams JS, Bushnell BD, Brock JL, Ho CP. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2018 27(2):242-251.
- Thon SG, O’Malley L, O’Brien MJ, Savoie FH. Am J Sports Med 2019;47(8):1901-1908.
- Van Kampen C, Arnoczky S, Parks P, et al. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2013;3(3):229-235.
- Arnoczky SP, Bishai SK, Schofield B, et al. Arthroscopy. 2017;33(2):278-283.
- Camacho-Chacon JA, et al. J Exp Orthop. 2022;9(1):53.
- Camacho Chacon JA, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2024;33(9):1894-1904.
- Parikh N, et al Curr Med Res Opin. 2021;37(7):1199-1211.
- Ruiz Iban MA, et al. Arthroscopy 2024;40(6):1760-1773.