Outcome Of Arthroscopic Non-Anatomic Repair Of Massive Rotator Cuff Tear: A Retrospective Analysis

The aim was to assess the clinical outcome of non-anatomic rotator-cuff repair in large tears not amenable to anatomic repair and to assess the preoperative factors that affect the result of such repairs. A retrospective case-series at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. Twenty-seven cases that underwent non-anatomic rotator-cuff repair at GTTH over the last 5 years and met inclusion criteria were assessed over a three-month study period (from 01/10/2023 to 31/12/2023).

Outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in pain as per visual-analog-scale (VAS), UCLA, as well as Constant score. Furthermore, patients' satisfaction was also assessed to measure subjective efficacy of the procedure.

Most commonly cases of rotator cuff tear present with pain, weakness, and restriction of shoulder range of motion. Pain improved significantly (p<0.001) from preoperative score of 3.68 to 1.45. Analysis of the objective assessment showed statistically significant (p=001) improvement in Constant score from a preoperative average score of 63.63 to a postoperative average of 77.27, with significant improvement (p=0.05) in each individual scoring criteria as well. The other scoring studied: UCLA also improved significantly (p=0.001) from 25.36 to 30.18. Despite this, on subjective assessment 40.9% of the sample was very satisfied and 27.3% were satisfied with the outcome.

Non-anatomic repair is very effective at treating the presenting complaints of the rotator cuff tear patients. Thus, alongside good clinical outcome, patient satisfaction can be predicted after the procedure.