抄録
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of operative results for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCT). The subjects were 52 cases, male 42 cases, and female 10 cases, with an average age of 53.1 years old. Types of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were bursal-sided tears (BST) in 21 cases, articular-sided tears (AST) in 21 cases and intratendinous tears (ITT) in 10 cases. We selected the operative procedure based on the types of injury and Ellman's classification regarding depth of the tears, from arthroscopic subacromial decompression, debridement and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The outcomes were assessed on the basis of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) shoulder score and postoperative MRI findings according to Spielmann's classification. The average JOA score increased from 62.6 points to 88.9 points. There was no significant difference in postoperative JOA scores on the types of PTRCT. Regarding postoperative MRI findings, the increase of higher intensity area caused the lower JOA scores. We reported that the repair for PTRCT has not always been satisfactory and unsolved therapeutic problems remained. We developed the MRI procedure using a shoulder array coil, and clarified that the healing process of the PTRCT has not promoted spontaneously. Our operative results were preferable, however, we had better pursue the procedure of increasing the healing capacity of injured rotator cuff tendons.
