Arthroscopic-Assisted Repair in Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Ruptures: Functional and Radiologic Results of Five-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Objective: In our study, we evaluated the post-operative 5-year clinical and radiological results and the ratio of re­current ruptures under magnetic resonance imaging of the patients diagnosed as wide and massive, full-thick­ness rotator cuff rupture and arthroscopic-assisted mini-open rotator cuff repair is applied. Methods: We evaluated the pre-operative and post-op­erative clinical and radiological results of 38 patients with wide and massive, full-thickness rotator cuff rupture and arthroscopic-assisted rotator cuff repair is applied after failure of conservative treatment. Results: Mean post-operative follow-up period was 60.4 months. According to UCLA scoring there were excellent results in 26 patients, good results in 10, and moderate results in 2 patients. According to Constant scoring there were excellent results in 24 patients, good results in 12, and moderate results in 2 patients. 34 of the 38 patients indicated that they were satisfied with the results. The continuity of the rotator cuffs are evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at the last visits of the patients and there was recurrent ruptures at the 8 patients. Conclusion: Although recurrent rotator cuff rupture rates varies depending on the age of the patients, moderate clinical results are obtained in elder patients. Neverthe­less, despite the rupture rates in the treatment of wide and massive, full-thickness ruptures, satisfactory clinical results can be obtained with arthroscopic-assisted mini-open rotator cuff repair