Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: 4- to 10-year results

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report the 4- to 10-year results of arthroscopic repair of full- thickness rotator cuff tears.

Type of study: This is a retrospective study evaluating a series of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs performed by a single surgeon from February 1990 to February 1996.

Methods: Retrospective chart reviews and telephone interviews were performed to evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears. Results were evaluated using a modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), shoulder scoring system.

Results: One-hundred five arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were performed in 104 patients between February 1990 and February 1996. Of these, 95 patients (96 shoulders) were available for follow-up evaluation at the time of this review. The mean UCLA score of all shoulders involved was 32. Fifty-one patients showed excellent results; 39, good; 2, fair; and 4, poor according to the modified UCLA scoring system. In no case was any loss of motion noted as a result of the surgical intervention.

Conclusions: This retrospective study is the largest series of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs with the longest period of follow-up thus far reported. Of the patients available for follow-up evaluation, 94% of patients qualified as a good to excellent result according to the UCLA shoulder scoring system. This study shows that patients treated with this arthroscopic rotator cuff repair technique have maintained excellent clinical outcomes 4 to 10 years after surgery.

Level of evidence: Level IV.