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. 2012 Jul;6(3):86-9.
doi: 10.4103/0973-6042.102558.

Mid-term results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression in patients with or without partial thickness rotator cuff tears

Ahmed S Eid  1 , Amitabh J Dwyer, Andrew F W Chambler
Affiliations

Mid-term results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression in patients with or without partial thickness rotator cuff tears

Ahmed S Eid et al. Int J Shoulder Surg. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate mid-term outcome in patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) for shoulder impingement syndrome with intact and partially torn rotator cuffs.

Materials and methods: A total of 80 consecutive patients (83 shoulders) who underwent ASD for impingement syndrome between 2003 and 2006 were analyzed. Mean age was 57.1 years. Patients' self-reported Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) for pain was collected prospectively and was used as an instrument to measure surgical outcome.

Results: The mean initial and final OSS for patients with an intact rotator cuff was 26.1 and 40.3, respectively, at a mean follow up of 71.9 months (nearly 7 years). The mean initial and final OSS for patients with a partially torn articular sided tear was 22.6 and 41.9, respectively, at mean follow up of 70.7 months. Both groups showed significant sustained improvement (P < 0.0001). The mean improvement of OSS following ASD was statistically greater (P < 0.03) for partially torn rotator cuff group (19.3 points) as compared to those with normal rotator cuff (14.2 points).

Conclusion: Patients with dual pathology (partial rotator cuff tear and impingement) appreciated a significantly greater improvement following ASD compared to those with impingement alone. Both groups of patients had a similar final outcome at a mid-term follow up.

Level of evidence: IV, retrospective study on consecutive series of patients.

Keywords: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression; partial rotator cuff tear; patient reported outcome measures; rotator cuff; surgical outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Approval For this Study: Granted by the Department of Clinical Governance, Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AT UK.

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