Clinical results on repair of massive rotator cuff tears / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tear. Methods The study involved 16 patients with massive rotator cuff tears treated arthroscopically from September 2007 to June 2009. There were 6 males and 11 females at average age 61.5 years (45-75 years). The rotator cuff tears was repaired with arthroscopic double-row reconstruction. The range of motion, pain, strength of flexed elevation and function evaluation score were all recorded before operation and at final follow-up. The results were evaluated by t test and compared according to age and course of disease. Results All patients were healed without complications and the outcome was improved significantly ( P < 0.01 ). The mean VAS score was improved from preoperative 5.6 to postoperative 1.7,the average forward flexion from 69. 1°to 151.2°, the average external rotation from 14.7° to 32.2°, and internal rotation from L1 level to T10, the mean Constant-Murle from 39 to 85, the mean UCLA from 10.4 to 28, the mean SST from 2.8 to 8.8 and the strength of flexed elevation from 10.7% of normal side to 65.0%. Compared with preoperation, there was statistical difference in aspects of pain, range of motion, muscle strength and function in postoperation (P < 0.01 ). Conclusion Arthroscopic doublerow fixation can attain satisfactory results in repair of massive rotator cuff tear.