Abstract
Hypothesis: arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provides a favorable outcome in patients aged 80 years or older.
Methods: between December 2005 and December 2009, 20 shoulders in 20 patients were treated for symptomatic tears of the rotator cuff with an ARCR. A minimum 2-year follow-up was performed and patients were evaluated based on range of motion, the UCLA score, the visual analogue scale (VAS), complications, the arthroscopic findings of joint degeneration (Outerbridge grading), and the need for revision surgery. Statistical analysis was done with paired t-test.
Results: there were no peri-operative deaths. There were no medical or surgical complications. By the time of this review 4 of the patients had died from unrelated causes after surgery and one patient was not available for follow-up due to the cerebrovascular disease. Of the patients, 15 were available for follow-up evaluation, with a mean age of 81.3 years and a mean follow-up of 4.1 years. No patients showed joint space obliteration on the pre-operative x-ray, however, 4 had Outerbridge grade 3 or 4 changes in articular cartilage. The UCLA score improved from 14.3 to 29.4 at final follow-up (p = 0.0020). The VAS improved from 68 mm to 15 mm (p = 0.0010), and forward elevation increased from 94 to 128 (p = 0. 017). Two shoulders required revision; one hemiarthroplasty and one second-look for exploration for ongoing pain.
Conclusion: arthroscopic rotator cuff repair provides significant improvement in pain and function in patients aged 80 years or older with symptomatic rotator cuff tears.
