Editorial Commentary: Subacromial Bursa May Possess Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells

Subacromial bursal tissue biopsied during arthroscopic surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tears appears to possess mesenchymal progenitor cells. Although attempting to harvest mesenchymal progenitor cells from the subacromial bursa for therapeutic purposes may currently be premature, the presence of these cells in bursal tissue does call into question the routine practice of subacromial bursectomy. To maximize the chances of healing after rotator cuff repair, perhaps it would be best to avoid excising non–diseased-appearing bursal tissue any more than what is absolutely necessary to facilitate visualization.