A serial comparison of arthroscopic repairs for partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears

To compare the outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression in partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCT) with those in full-thickness rotator cuff tears (FTRCT).

Prospective serial follow-up study.

Of 46 consecutive patients who were treated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, 42 patients who were followed-up serially for 2 years were enrolled as study subjects. The average age of the patients at the time of the operation was 55 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 34 months. The subjects included 22 cases of PTRCT and 20 cases of FTRCT.

At the final follow-up, the PTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.2 to 0.9 for average pain and from 34 to 91 for the shoulder functional evaluation score of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES score). The FTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.6 to 1.2 for pain and from 29 to 88 for the ASES score. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups ( P >.05). The average range of shoulder motion was significantly improved in both groups at the final follow-up versus their preoperative values. Evaluation at the final follow-up showed that 93% of the total subjects showed good or excellent results, and 95% showed satisfactory results with regard to pain reduction and functional outcomes. The 2 fair results were the result of acromioclavicular arthritis.

It may be anticipated that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression will give satisfactory postoperative outcomes in both PTRCT and FTRCT in terms of pain relief and functional recovery. However, careful preoperative examination of the acromioclavicular joint is critical to avoid procedural failure.

Level IV.