We developed a low invasive method (L method), which is an intermediate procedure between the usual open method (O method) and an arthroscopic cuff repair to minimize surgical intervention and thus to enable an earlier earlier return to ADL or sports activities. Materials and methods:
We applied L method to all rotator cuff tears except a massive tear. After identifying the location and size of the tear arthroscopically, a skin incision 3cm long was made from the center of the acromion toward axilla. The acromiplasty was carried out under direct vision, and cuff repair was performed using McLaughlin's procedure. When the rotator cuff was found difficult to be treated by the L method, it could be changed to the O method by extending the skin incision and detaching the deltoid muscle.30patients (20 men and 10 women) have been treated by the L method to date and their results were compared to 45 patients (25 men and 20 women) treated by the O method in terms of the JOA score and the ROM with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.
Results and conclusion: The patients scored well in both groups and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding pain and function. However, patients in the L method group demonstrated a significantly better ROM at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Thus the L method appears to enable an earlier return to ADL or sports activities than the O method.
