Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Articular surface partial-thickness rotator cuff tears

G M Gartsman1, J C Milne

  • 1Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Houston, USA.

Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|November 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A standardized method for the assessment of shoulder function.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2012
Same author

Cost of shoulder surgery.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2012
Same author

Outbreak of Newcastle disease due to pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 in grey partridges (Perdix perdix) in Scotland in October 2006.

The Veterinary record·2009
Same author

All arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs.

The Orthopedic clinics of North America·2002
Same author

The measurement level and trait-specific reliability of 4 scales of shoulder functioning: an empiric investigation.

Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2001
Same author

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2001
Same journal

Corrigendum to 'Navigated augmented reality through a head-mounted display leads to low deviation between planned, intra- and postoperative parameters during glenoid component placement of reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a proof-of-concept case series'.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
Same journal

Evaluation of Radiograph Parameters Used to Assess Prosthetic Overlengthening in Radial Head Arthroplasty.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
Same journal

Assistant Experience Enhances the Learning Curve in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Comparative CUSUM Analysis of Three Surgeons.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
Same journal

Prediction of Acromial and Scapular Spine Fractures After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty using Machine Learning: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
Same journal

Simultaneous versus Staged Bilateral Shoulder Replacement: A Matched Cohort Study.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
Same journal

The Humeral Bone Loss (HUMBL) Classification Identifies Patterns of Humeral Bone Loss Associated with Various Revision, Instability, and Humeral Loosening Rates in Primary and Revision Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2026
See all related articles

This study found that arthroscopic debridement and decompression effectively treated most partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, achieving satisfactory results in 88% of patients. Surgical outcomes for impingement, instability, and trauma-related tears were generally positive.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Sports Medicine
  • Shoulder Arthroscopy

Background:

  • Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are common injuries.
  • Articular surface tears require specific treatment considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the outcomes of different surgical treatments for articular surface partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.
  • To compare results based on the etiology of the tear (impingement, instability, trauma).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 111 partial-thickness rotator cuff tears in 106 patients (1987-1992).
  • Patients were categorized into three groups based on presumed etiology: impingement (Group 1), instability (Group 2), and trauma (Group 3).
  • Treatments included arthroscopic subacromial decompression, anterior reconstruction, debridement, and open repair.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Overall satisfactory results were achieved in 88% (98/111) of cases.
  • Group 1 (impingement) showed good outcomes with debridement and arthroscopic subacromial decompression.
  • Complications included postoperative stiffness in four shoulders requiring open release.

Conclusions:

  • Arthroscopic management, including debridement and subacromial decompression, is an effective treatment for many articular surface partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.
  • Tailoring treatment to the underlying cause of the tear can lead to favorable outcomes.
  • While generally successful, potential complications like stiffness should be considered.