抄録
We repaired partial thickness rotator cuff tears after converting to complete tear under arthroscopy. We presented about the clinical results of this method. 28 patients (males 19, females 9, mean age 52.6years old) were operated on. Clinical symptoms of all patients had not improved by conservative therapy of over 3 months. There were 6 bursal side, 5 intra-tendinous, 17 joint side tears. 13 cases were induced by trauma, 5 cases were by sports and 10 cases had no clear trauma. All patients were repaired arthroscopically using single or dual raw fixation technique after making complete tears and retention of the cuff. Clinical results were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score ( JOA score). The mean follow-up period was 17.2 months. The JOA scores improved from 52.6 points to 94.2 points at the final follow-up. In all cases physical signs indicating dysfunction of rotator cuff disappeared. Even in partial thickness rotator cuff tear cases, the tendon that lost its function should be repaired. We think the advantage point of this method is to be able to strain the loosened cuff tendon and that is the most important point in the repair of cuff tear. We got excellent clinical results by repair after converting to complete tear for partial thickness rotator cuff tears. This method seemed be effective to get retention of the cuff tendon and tendon healing.
