Background: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair has been prevalent and allows us to obtain excellent clinical results. However, in elder patients there are some complaints. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical result of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the elderly with younger patients.
Methods: We retrospective studied 21 patients (26shoulders). The patients were 11males and 15 females. The mean age at operation was 82.2 years old(80 ∼ 88years). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 20.5 months(12 ∼ 51months). 1 shoulder had a small tear, 7 shoulders had medium tears, 11 shoulders had massive tears, and 7shoulders were global rotator cuff tears.18 shoulders were treated by primary repair(3shoulders single row methods, 15shoulders double row methods). 5 shoulders treated by facia lata graft, and 3shoulers with partial repair. The clinical results were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA score) and re-tears were evaluated using MRI.
Results: The average JOA score was changed from 47.3 to 78.1. In post operative MRI re-tear were shown in 11 shoulders. There is no interrelation between the trauma and the clinical result.
Conclusion: The clinical result of ARCR for the elderly persons was almost satisfactory, but it must be careful of indications.
