We have performed open rotator cuff repair (O method), arthroscopic repair with making complete tear (AC method) and arthroscopic repair with incomplete tear (AP method) for partial thickness rotator cuff tear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of 3 different operative methods. We treated 54 partial thickness rotator cuff tear. AP method group was 20 cases (males 12, females 8; mean age 46.4years old; 9 bursal side, 11 joint side tears).AC method group was 8 cases (males 5, females 3; mean age 49.2years old; 3 bursal side, 5 joint side tears). O method group was 26 cases (males 18, females 8; mean age 49.2years old; 9 bursal sides, 17 joint side tears). Clinical results were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA score). The average postoperative JOA score was 92.3 points in AP method group, 94.3 points in AC method group and 91.3 points in O method group. In bursal side tear, the average postoperative JOA score was 94.2 points in AP method group, 93.3 points in AC method group and 92.1 points in O method group. In joint side tear, the average postoperative JOA score was 90.8 points in AP method group, 94.9 points in AC method group and 90.9 points in O method group. There was no significant correlation between postoperative JOA and 3 different operative methods tear side. The clinical results of arthroscopic and open rotator cuff repair for partial thickness rotator cuff tear are satisfactory.
