Long-Term Outcomes After In Situ Arthroscopic Repair of Partial Rotator Cuff Tears

To analyze clinical outcomes, return to sports, and complications in a series of patients with painful partial-thickness rotator cuff tears treated with arthroscopic in situ repair with suture anchors who had a minimum of 8 years of follow-up.

Sixty-two patients who had undergone an arthroscopic in situ repair for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears were evaluated. All injuries involved the supraspinatus tendon. Clinical assessment consisted of glenohumeral range-of-motion measurement and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. Pain was rated by using a visual analog scale. We assessed return to sports and the level of performance achieved after surgery. Postoperative complications were also assessed.

Mean age was 52.4 years (range, 32 to 67 years), and mean duration of follow-up was 10.4 years (range, 8 to 12 years). All active range-of-motion parameters improved significantly (P < .0001). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 45.6 to 85.1; and the visual analog scale scores improved from 6.4 to 1.6 (P < .0001). Thirty patients participated in sports before injury: 21 were recreational athletes and 9 were competitive athletes. Twenty-six (87%) were able to return to sports, and 24 (80%) returned to the same level they had achieved before injury. No significant difference regarding functional outcomes or return to sports was found between patients with articular-sided tears and those with bursal-sided tears. No revision surgeries were performed. Three patients had postoperative adhesive capsulitis that responded favorably to physical therapy.

During long-term follow-up, arthroscopic in situ repair of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears produces excellent functional outcomes in more than 80% of patients, and revision rates are low. Most patients return to their chosen sport at the same level they had achieved before injury. The results are equally favorable for articular-sided and bursal-sided tears.

IV, therapeutic case series.