We present the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in seven patients (five men and two women). The average age of patients at the time of operation was 57.3 years (range, 49 to 72 years). All of the patients were followed up for at least 6 months (average, 8 months, range 6 to 15 month). We found medium (1 to 3cm) tears in three shoulders and large (3 to 5 cm) tears in four. Six glenohumeral joints had intra-articular lesions. Crescent-shaped tears were repaired in a direct tendon-to-bone fashion with suture anchors, and U-shaped tears were repaired by using margin convergence with side-to-side sutures to converger the free margin of the rotator cuff tear to the prepared bone bed. The shoulders were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. The total JOA score of all the patients improved from 61 to 88.7 points. The JOA score showed improvement in the postoperative scores for pain, function, and range of motion. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair produced satisfactory results. The arthroscopic method has the advantages of glenohumeral joint inspection, treatment of intra-articular lesions, smaller incision, no deltoid detachment, less soft-tissue dissection, less pain, and more rapid rehabilitation.
