Abstract
The purpose of this study was compare the integrity of the rotator cuff between the post operative MRI within 3 months and the MRI at final follow-up for a rotator cuff repair. In this study, 20 cases of partial to large rotator cuff tears were treated by either arthroscopic (15 cases) or mini-open rotator cuff repair (5cases). The mean age of all cases was 64.1 years old. The postoperative MRI was performed at the time within 3 months and 1 year after surgery. The rotator cuff integrity was evaluated by means of Sugaya's classification. The post operative findings of MRI within 3 months were classified as Type I : 0,Type II : 5, Type III : 2, Type IV : 8, Type V : 5, respectively.
The final follow-up findings of MRI were classified as Type I : 4, Type II : 2, Type III : 3, Type IV : 6, Type V : 4, showing morphological improvement of the rotator cuff configuration. In conclusion, the present study shows that the signal intensity of the rotator cuff detected by postoperative MRI had a changed time course.
