Repair of the Rotator Cuff Tear in Relation to Age and Its Size

Abstract

The surgical results of the rotator cuff tear were studied in relation to age and size of the tear. Materials and Methods: One hundred shoulders of 98 patients with a cuff tear had performed a bone-tendon suture. The mean age was 57 years, ranging from 28-81 years of age. The average followed up period was 34 months. These patients were divided to 4 groups according to their ages: group A (>70 yrs), group B (60-69 yrs), group C (50-59 yrs), group D (<49 yrs). The ranges of motion of the shoulders and the JOA score were studied according to these groups and the tear size.
Results: Width and length were 3.5 and 3.1 cm in group A,3.2 and 3 cm in group B,2.7 and 2.5 cm in group C,2.4 and 2.2 cm in group D. The pre- and post-operative elevation angles were 113.6° and 130° in group A,106.3° and 152.4° in group B,127.7° and 148.5° in group C,131° and 152.5° in gro up D. The pre- and post-operative external rotations were 53.8° and 40° in group A,40.4° and 50.2° in group B,54.8° and 57.7° in group C,62.6° and 53.4° in group D. The pre- and post-operative JOA scores were 56.8 and 82 in group A,61.5 and 93.6 in group B,70.7 and 91.3 in group C,66.5 and 90.1 in group D. In our study about tear sizes, the larger width showed a restricted range of motion and a lower JOA score. Conclusions: Older patients had a larger tear size. The larger width of the tear size revealed a lower range of motion and a lower JOA score at pre- and post-operative states.