Long-term outcome for arthroscopic repair of partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion

To assess the long-term clinical outcome of arthroscopic transtendon repair of partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions using University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores.

We prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed data on 15 patients who underwent arthroscopic transtendon PASTA repair between 1997 to 2001. The mean patient age was 50.4 years (range, 31 to 68 years). Mean follow-up was 13.5 years (range, 12 to 15 years). To determine clinical outcome, UCLA and SF-36 scores were obtained preoperatively, at 1 to 3 years postoperatively, and again at final postoperative evaluation.

Of the 15 patients enrolled in this study, 13 underwent concomitant procedures, including 10 subacromial decompressions, 2 open and one arthroscopic biceps tenodesis, 2 SLAP repairs, and one Bankart repair. There were no complications. A revision rotator cuff repair was performed 8 years after the index procedure in one patient (7%), indicating a 93% long-term success rate for arthroscopic PASTA repair. A significant difference (P < .0001) was noted between preoperative and postoperative UCLA scores. Pain and shoulder function improved in all patients. SF-36 scores showed improvement in physical health, physical functioning, and bodily pain (P = .003, P = .005, and P = .005, respectively). All 15 patients were satisfied with the surgery.

Long-term follow-up shows that arthroscopic transtendon PASTA repair provides reliable and sustained pain relief and improvement in shoulder function.

Level IV, therapeutic case series.