Arthrography of the shoulder after operative repair of the torn rotator cuff

Double-contrast shoulder arthrograms were performed in 20 patients at an average of 30 months after operative repair of a torn rotator cuff. In 18 out of 20 shoulders the contrast medium leaked into the subacromial bursa indicating a defect in the rotator cuff. Despite this, 17 patients had complete relief of pain and 15 had a full range of shoulder elevation. The results suggest that a completely watertight closure is not essential for a good functional result, and that arthrography may not be helpful in the investigation of failure of repair.