Clinical outcomes after arthroscopic trans-tendon suture-bridge technique in partial-thickness articular-side rotator cuff tear.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the functional and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic trans-tendon suture-bridge repair for partial-thickness articular-side rotator cuff tears.

METHODS: From December 2008 to May 2010, 32 consecutive patients with partial-thickness articular-side rotator cuff tears prospectively underwent arthroscopic trans-tendon suture-bridge repair. We included patients with articular-side partial-thickness supraspinatus tears involving more than half the normal thickness. Patients underwent ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging postoperatively. The functional outcomes of patients were evaluated at a minimum 1 year postoperatively. The mean age and follow-up period for the patients were 51.8 ± 13.7 years and 17.4 ± 4.2 months, respectively. Five outcome measures were used before surgery and at the final follow-up: a visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Constant-Murley score and range of motion (ROM).

RESULTS: The radiological follow-up rate was 87.5%, and the follow-up rate for clinical evaluation was 96.9%. Mean UCLA, ASES and Constant-Murley scores improved from 19.1 ± 5.4, 45.2 ± 16.0 and 58.0 ± 19.6 preoperatively to 35.7 ± 8.5, 79.0 ± 15.8 and 78.1 ± 12.9 at final follow-up, respectively (all p ≤ 0.001). Mean VAS score and ROM (forward flexion) improved from 6.1 ± 1.9 and 140 ± 36.6 preoperatively to 2.6 ± 1.9 and 163 ± 25.2 at the final follow-up, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, the postoperative radiological examination showed cuff integrity without retear in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic trans-tendon suture-bridge repair for partial-thickness articular-side rotator cuff tears resulted in significant improvement in function compared with that before the operation.