Outcomes of repaired and intact rotator cable in large posterosuperior rotator cuff ruptures

This study aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears between those with intact rotator cables (crescent-shaped tears) and those with repaired rotator cables (U-, V-, or L-shaped tears).

Eighty-two patients with a mean age of 64.05 ± 9.06 years who underwent arthroscopic repair due to large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were evaluated with a follow-up period of 32 ± 5.9 months. Forty-two patients with an intact rotator cable and 40 patients with a repaired rotator cable (rotator cable restored with tendon-tendon sutures) were evaluated regarding preoperative and postoperative pain and functional outcomes.

There was no significant difference in the constant score between the rotator cable repaired and the intact group (P=.22). However, when the sub-dimensions of the Constant score were compared separately, the forward flexion was significantly higher in the group with the intact rotator cable (P=.002). When the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared, lower scores were observed in the group with the repaired rotator cable (P < .001).

In large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, patients with a repaired rotator cables experienced more significant pain relief compared to those with intact rotator cables, although their forward flexion was lower. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the tear type and the rotator cable condition in large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears may help predict postoperative pain and functional outcomes.

Level III case-control study.