Short-term Outcomes of Arthroscopic Transtendinous Repair in Partial Articular Side Tears of the Rotator Cuff

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.

Comparison of Surgical Outcome between Bursal and Articular Side Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and debridement in bursal and articular side partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) with depth of less than 50%. This study was based on thirty-seven PTRCT with average follow-up of 3.5 years (range: 2-6 years). There were 24 articular side tears and 13 bursal side tears. Pre-operative impingement test showed 80% pain relief in bursal side and 67% in articular side tears. All patients were assessed in terms of pain relief and functional recovery using the standard method of Research Committee of American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES). At postoperative 6 months, average pain score decreased to 1.7 from 6.2 and average ASES score increased to 79 from 38 in articular side tears, and pain scores decreased to 0.9 from 7.1 and ASES scores increased to 87 from 37 in bursal side tears. Eighty-six percent of the patients showed satisfactory results at the final follow-up. After subacromial decompression and debridement in bursal and articular side PTRCT, pain relief and functional recovery was excellent in both groups. However, the result was better in bursal side PTRCT till 6 months after operation.