Outcomes of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tendon tear without pseudoparalysis

The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable rotator cuff tear (RCT).

This is a retrospective cohort study comparing preoperative and postoperative data of patients undergoing arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable RCT. Exclusion criteria included open tuberoplasty, concomitant partial RCT repair, glenohumeral arthritis, concomitant ipsilateral extremity fractures, <12 months follow-up, or pseudoparalysis. Demographics, shoulder range of motion (ROM), RCT morphology, re-operation rates, satisfaction and outcome scores were collected from medical records and questionnaires. Outcome scores included Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Upper Extremity (PROMIS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and pain Visual Analog Score (VAS).

Out of 28 patients identified between 2012 and 2019, 20 (21 shoulders) were available for follow-up at a mean of 43.3 ± 20.9 months. Mean age was 64.6 ± 8.8 years. Mean PROMIS was 37.7 ± 7.3, ASES was 82.9 ± 13.8, and SVV was 67.1 ± 19.4. VAS with activity decreased from 5.0 ± 2.9 preoperatively to 2.3 ± 2.6 (P = .0029). Pre- and post-operative ROM were unchanged. There were 4 failures requiring revision. The remaining 17 patients reported high satisfaction scores (3.4 ± 0.7) and 15 (88.2%) answered "yes" to getting the procedure again, with 3/4 failures stating they would also undergo arthroscopic tuberoplasty again.

Arthroscopic tuberoplasty demonstrates high levels of satisfaction and pain reduction in symptomatic irreparable RCT. In appropriately indicated patients, this treatment should be considered prior to other salvage options.