抄録
The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical outcome of conservative treatment for full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCTs), and to analyze factors that influence the clinical outcome. We selected 35 patients who were diagnosed as having FTRCTs by MRI or MR arthrography and were treated conservatively. There were 19 males and 16 females with an average age of 65.3 years old. All patients were evaluated with use of JOA score and were classified into two groups; an excellent group with over 80 points and a poor group with below 79 points. Comparative assessments of JOA score, range of motion, age, sex, dominant versus non-dominant side, traumatic history, night pain, the size and location of the cuff tear, and duration from the onset to the first consultation were carried out between the two groups. The mean JOA score revealed an overall improvement from 59.9 at the time of initial examination to 87.2 at the last examination. The mean range of active flexion improved from 87.86°at the time of initial examination to 142.86°at the last examination. In the cases with poor results, pain and ROM score revealed an improvement at one month after treatment, but no significant improvement at the further follow-up examinations. In the several factors, the size of cuff tear had statistical significance in the clinical outcome. Our clinical results of the conservative treatments were almost effective for the patients with FTRCTs. However, our results suggested that if the patients reported no or less improvement of JOA score within two or three months after conservative treatment, an operative procedure should be recommended.
