Arthroscopic Treatment for Intratendinous Rotator Cuff Tear Results in Satisfactory Clinical Outcomes and Structural Integrity

Overview

Journal Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Emergency Medicine
General Surgery
Orthopedics

Date 2018 Apr 22

PMID 29679116

Citations 4

Authors

Sang Jin Cheon

Hyo Yeol Lee

Woong Ki Jeon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and structural integrity of arthroscopic repair of intratendinous rotator cuff tear.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with an intratendinous tear but in whom conservative treatment failed were selected and underwent arthroscopic repair. Between 2008 and 2014, a total of 30 patients (6 men, 24 women; mean age, 59 ± 3.7 years) met the inclusion criteria and were followed up. The mean follow-up period was 26.3 ± 0.7 months. The results were evaluated using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the Society of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons rating scale (ASES) questionnaire, and the visual analog scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) were measured preoperatively and at final follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively and at 6.7 ± 0.2 months postoperatively. Postoperative MRI was performed on 27 out of 30 patients and analysed using the Sugaya classification.

Results: Corresponding to the preoperative MRI findings, arthroscopic findings of intratendinous tears were observed in all 30 patients. The mean active forward elevation ROM was 137.3° ± 15.4° before surgery and 168.8° ± 15.2° at the final follow-up. The internal and external rotations at abduction were 31.7° ± 5.1° and 63.0° ± 11.6° before surgery, respectively, and 60.5° ± 8.0° and 75.2° ± 10.8° after surgery, respectively. The UCLA score improved from of 20.1 ± 7.4 points preoperative to 28.4 ± 5.5 points at the final follow-up. The ASES score improved from 55.7 ± 15.3 points preoperative to 82.6 ± 9.7 points postoperatively. The VAS for pain score decreased from 6.4 ± 1.2 points preoperative to 1.6 ± 0.9 points postoperative. Satisfactory outcomes (excellent/good) in terms of UCLA and ASES scores were observed in 29 of 30 patients. Based on Sugaya classification, grades I, II, and III structural integrities were observed in 9, 14, and 4 patients, respectively.

Conclusions: Successful clinical outcomes and structural integrity can be achieved with arthroscopic repair of intratendinous rotator cuff tears involving more than half thickness (> 50%). Therefore, arthroscopic repair is a practical next treatment option for patients with intratendinous rotator cuff tears in whom conservative treatment fails.

Level Of Evidence: IV.

Citing Articles

[Effectiveness analysis of "tail compression fixation+suture bridge" technology under shoulder arthroscopy for treating primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff].

Aierken A, Li Q, Fu K, Chen D, Yao Y, Shen Y Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023; 37(5):561-565.

PMID: 37190832 PMC: 10196965. DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.202302030.

[Partial-Thickness Tear of Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Tendon Revisited: Based on MR Findings].

Song S, Lee S, Kim J Taehan Yongsang Uihakhoe Chi. 2022; 82(6):1366-1387.

PMID: 36238879 PMC: 9431970. DOI: 10.3348/jksr.2021.0124.

Outcomes of Visualized Puncture Needle and Small Needle-Knife Therapy in Primary Frozen Shoulder Based on Multimodal Ultrasound Imaging.

Qin X, Zhang B, Feng Y, Gao X, Liu Z, Yang Y J Healthc Eng. 2022; 2022:1076112.

PMID: 35222874 PMC: 8866014. DOI: 10.1155/2022/1076112.

[Effect of unilateral rotator cuff repair on the contralateral shoulder in patients with bilateral rotator cuff tears].

Wang C, Yang P, Zhang H, Liu W, Zhang Y, Yu T Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2020; 34(11):1399-1404.

PMID: 33191697 PMC: 8171700. DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.202006045.

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