2011 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 873-876
We evaluated the efficacy of our arthroscopic cuff repairing (ARCR) procedure for partial-thickness articular side rotator cuff tear (APRCT). Our procedure comprises arthroscopic subacromial decompression, debridement of the articular side torn cuff, conversion of the partial tear to a full-thickness tear, and fixation of the tear to the humeral head using a single-row anchoring technique. From December 2004 to January 2009, 15 patients with APRCT were treated with this procedure and followed up for more than 12 months. There were 10 male and 5 female patients with the average age of 53.1 years old. The average postoperative follow-up period was 28.2 months. Evaluation included Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA score) at final follow-up, the Constant score, strength of shoulder abduction and external rotation at postoperative 12 months, complications, and evaluation of unsatisfactory results.
The JOA score improved from 71.8 to 88.2 on average at final follow-up. The Constant score improved from 51.2 to 69.1. The average strength of shoulder abduction and external rotation increased from 3.9kg to 5.1kg and from 6.0kg to 7.7kg, respectively. There were no complications. Four patients had JOA score of under 80 and were unsatisfactory. Preoperative contracture of the shoulder was seen in 2 patients, re-tear of the repaired cuff in 1 and capsulitis in 1. These results support the therapeutic value of our ARCR procedure with conversion from a partial- to full-thickness tear. Simultaneous capsular release for contracted shoulders and an alternative double-row anchoring technique may further improve the clinical outcomes.
