Arthroscopic Treatment with Suture Anchor for the Isolated Subscapularis Tear

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the results of arthroscopic management of an isolated rupture of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty nine patients with unilateral ruptures of the subscapularis tendon and who underwent arthroscopic repair between February 2001 and October 2007 were reviewed prospectively. All the cases were isolated tears of the subscapularis without the involvement of any other rotator cuff tendon. In 19 patients the tear was localized to the superior one third, in 7 cases the tear was localized to the upper two thirds and the entire tendon was involved in 3 cases. The mean follow up period was 12.2 months (range 6-26 months). The results of the treatment were assessed by evaluating the constant shoulder score and the pain score before surgery and after surgery. RESULTS: The constant shoulder score improved from 49.9+/-7.3 to 73.8+/-3.0 points compared to before surgery and the pain score improved from 4.3+/-3.2 to 11.2+/-3.0 points postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of isolated ruptures of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors is a good option for effectively managing these tears.