抄録
Background: We previously reported that we should not assume high-intensity signal changes of the rotator cuff insertion on postoperative MR images as a re-torn cuff; instead, low signal cases of the rotator cuff insertion should indicate rotator cuff repair.
Methods: We compared two-year postoperative cases of rotator cuff insertion with full low-intensity signal change on an MR image to that of cases with residual high-intensity signals in all layers. Among two-year postoperative rotator cuff repair cases, our sample consisted of 235 cases (L group) with full low-intensity signal changes and 58 cases (H group) with residual high-intensity signals in all layers. We evaluated the medical history (age, gender, contraction period), tear size, shoulder range of motion (ROM) and UCLA score between the two groups.
Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in preoperative medical history, shoulder ROM and UCLA score; however, in terms of tear size, L group was significantly smaller than that of H group. Postoperative UCLA score did not show significant difference between the two groups. Although no statistical difference was found in shoulder ROM 3 months postoperatively, L group was significantly larger than H group in C7 thumb distance (CTD); CTD and 2nd internal rotation (IR); CTD, flexion, abduction, and 2nd IR, and CTD; 1st external rotation, abduction, horizontal flexion and 2nd IR at six months, one-year, 1.5 years, and 2 years postoperatively, respectively. The clinical difference was not clear between the two groups.
Conclusion: We believe favorable results in postoperative ROM are associated with good rotator cuff repair.
