抄録
The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical characteristics of rotator cuff tear with or without pain at night, and to evaluate the clinical results of rotator cuff repair in those patients. 62 shoulders of 61 cases who underwent rotator cuff repair from June 2005 to June 2007 (male; 38 shoulders, female; 24 shoulders, mean age; 60.2 years old) were divided into 2 groups according to pain at night. Group A included patients with pain at night defined by more than 30 mm in visual analog pin scale (VAS), and group B included patients without pain at night defined by under 30 mm in VAS. Between the 2 groups, we statistically analyzed the pre-operative clinical conditions and results of rotator cuff repair. Group A was comprised of 38 shoulders (male: 23 shoulders, female: 15 shoulders, mean age: 62.0 years old), and group B was comprised of 24 shoulders (male: 25 shoulders, female: 9 shoulders, mean age: 57.2 years old). In terms of pre-operative clinical conditions, age, affected period, gender, dominant arm, history of trauma, active flexion and abduction, strength in abduction and external rotation, impingement sign were not significantly different in the 2 groups, but group A showed less active external rotation and internal rotation, and had more partial-thickness tear and less massive tear. In terms of post-operative evaluation items, VAS, active flexion and abduction, JOA total score were not significantly different in the 2 groups, but recovery in active external rotation and internal rotation were delayed in group A. Patients with rotator cuff tear have various kinds of symptoms, so it is necessary to select the most appropriate treatment depending on each of their clinical conditions. Further investigations are necessary to examine renewed treatment strategy focused on the difference of symptoms.
