抄録
[Purpose] Cuff tear arthropathy is the most famous complication of massive rotator cuff tears. In this report, we would like to study and discuss the other complicatons associated with massive rotator cuff tears, and their pathogenesis.
[Patients] We treated 19 cases with complications associated with a massive rotator cuff tear. There were 3 shoulders with cuff tear arthropathy,3 with recurrent intraarticular bleeding,4 with a spontaneous rupture of the deltoid muscle,1 with intraarticular bleeding and, a spontaneous rupture of the deltoid muscle, and 11 with osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint.6 males and 13 females were in the group, with the right shoulder involved in 15 cases, the left in 1 case and the both in 3 cases. The average age was 73.7 years (range: 59-88).
[Diagnostic Methods] We investigated there complications using many kinds of diagnostic methods. MRI is one of the best methods to determine the diagnosis of there complications. MRI demonstrated a rupture of the deltoid muscle and intaarticular bleeding clearly.
[Conclusion] There are many kinds of complications associated with a massive rotator cuff tear. The instabilities and weakness of the shoulder joints due to massive rotator cuff tears are the most important factors of the occurrence of these complications. The best prevention is a repair of the rotator cuff, which needs a careful follow-up.
