ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the shoulder arthroscopic treatment of avulsion fracture of humeral greater tuberosity with double-row suture bridge.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the 13 avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity which had been treated by shoulder arthroscopic double-row suture bridge at Bone and Joint Department, Guangzhou Liwan District Orthopedic Hospital from March, 2018 to March, 2020. There were 6 males and 7 females, with an average ages of 52.3 years (from 35 to 69 years). According to the Mutch classification, all the fractures of humeral greater tuberosity were attributed to the avulsion type. Of them, 3 were simple avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity and 10 were complicated with shoulder anterior dislocation which was reduced manually before operation. There were 3 obsolete avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity. Regular clinic and X-ray follow-ups were carried out. At the final follow-up, the pain, range of motion (ROM) and stability of the shoulder joint were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), American shoulder elbow scores (ASES), and Korean shoulder scores (KSS).Results:All the patients were followed up for an average of 12.3 months (from 10 to 16 months) postoperatively. No infection or shoulder instability was observed. At the final follow-up, the abduction and elevation averaged 164.6° (from 135° to 180°), the lateral external rotation 62.7° (from 40° to 80°), the internal rotation touch back test T10 level (from L2 to T6), the VAS 0.65 (from 0 to 2.5), the ASES 90.5 (from 78 to 100), and the KSS 91.5 (from 84 to 100).Conclusion:Shoulder arthroscopic treatment of avulsion fracture of humeral greater tuberosity with double-row suture bridge is minimally invasive and allows for repair of combined injury, leading to quick postoperative recovery.