ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study prospectively evaluated the outcome of arthroscopic transtendinous repair as a treatment for partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with symptomatic, partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff underwent modified transtendinous repair. The patient's mean age was 52.5 years and the mean duration of symptoms was 33.7 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the ASES score, the active ROM of the shoulder and the patient's satisfaction were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively. The clinical results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: The mean VAS was 6.6+/-1.1 before treatment and 0.4+/-0.6 at 6 month, and the ASES scores for all the patients were significantly better over the six-month period of follow-up (p<0.05). The mean active ROM in abduction was 94.3+/-22.3 before treatment, 108.7+/-16.3 at 1 month (p=0.0041) and 164.3+/-5.3 at six months (p=0.0006). In flexion, it was 105.0+/-23.8 before treatment, 119.0+/-17.4 at 1 month (p=0.0075) and 174.3+/-5.3 at six months (p=0.0006). At the final follow-up, 94% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied after operation. CONCLUSION: We experienced satisfactory clinical results after a short-term follow-up of arthroscopic transtendinous repair, and we believed this to be an effective procedure for patients with partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff.