Surgical treatment of shoulder rotator cuff injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The rotator cuff is the most important functional structure of the shoulder. The aim of this study was to determine which factors contribute to a rotator cuff injury and to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology in Novi Sad since December 2009 until May 2012.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 20 patients who had been operated for a shoulder rotator cuff injury. Their mean age was 56.8 +/- 9.1.

RESULTS: According to the Constant Shoulder Score, 75% of the patients had excellent and good results. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between Constant Shoulder Score of the operated should and the opposite shoulder as well as between the range of external and internal rotation and abduction. After the surgical treatment, 95% of the patients have no limitations in the activities of daily living and they are satisfied with the results of treatment.

CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of a shoulder rotator cuff injury is reliable, time-tested and provides good clinical results especially in patients who were operated within the first three weeks after the injury.