FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS OF REPAIR OF PARTIAL AND COMPLETE ROTATOR CUFF TEARS.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Rotator cuff (RC) injuries are common, affecting shoulder function.
• Surgical repair is a primary treatment option for RC tears.
• Comparative outcomes of arthroscopic repair for partial vs. complete RC tears require further analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of arthroscopic surgical treatment for partial and complete rotator cuff (RC) injuries.
• To evaluate functional recovery using validated scoring systems and physical assessments.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective evaluation of 84 shoulders undergoing arthroscopic RC repair.
• Categorization into partial (27 shoulders) and complete (57 shoulders) tear groups.
• Assessment using UCLA and Constant scores, strength, and range of motion.

Main Results:

• Complete RC tears were associated with higher patient age (mean 61.4 vs. 56.5 years).
• Significant differences in shoulder elevation deficit were noted between groups (complete: -16.5% vs. partial: -1.1%).
• Excellent/good results were reported in 96.5% for complete tears and 84.6% for partial tears (UCLA score).
• Satisfactory results were achieved in 91.2% for complete tears and 77% for partial tears (Constant score).

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic repair demonstrates satisfactory functional outcomes for both partial and complete rotator cuff injuries.
• Outcomes between partial and complete rotator cuff tear repair groups are comparable.
• Arthroscopic surgery is an effective treatment for a spectrum of rotator cuff tears.