Greater tuberosity osteotomy for treatment of impinge rotator cuff tear

Forty-two consecutive patients in whom an impingement of rotator cuff tear had been treated with greater tuberosity osteotomy and repair were evaluated by relief of pain, return of range of motion and strength of shoulder. The oriental acromion is thin and easy to break during the traditional acromioplasty procedures. When the decompression is achieved by osteotomy on the greater tuberosity which is the common location of cuff tear, not only is adequate decompression achieved but also the coracoacromial ligament is preserved. Comparison of the results of greater tuberosity osteotomy with those of previous acromioplasty studies shows they are mostly similar. At present, these techniques can be recommended for use by Chinese orthopaedic surgeons who have to deal with the typical oriental bony structures.