Strength recovery after arthroscopic anterosuperior cuff repair: analysis of a consecutive series

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to look at the functional outcomes of arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Sixty-one patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior cuff tears were retrospectively reviewed. At a minimum 6 months of follow-up, shoulder functional outcome scores including the Constant score (CS), simple shoulder test (SST) and visual analogic scale (VAS) were collected. Strength recovery for supraspinatus and subscapularis was investigated.

Results: All patients (mean age 59 ± 7) were available at a mean follow-up of 18 ± 7 months. The average CS improved from 30.8 ± 10.2 preoperatively to 76.5 ± 12.0 postoperatively, average SST from 2.6 ± 2.0 to 8.8 ± 2.9 and average VAS pain scale from 3.8 ± 1 to 0.5 ± 0.5 (p < 0.0001). Strength at belly-press and Jobe tests significantly improved (p < 0.0001). All patients with the exception of one were satisfied with the intervention.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic repair of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears provides a significant improvement in pain relief and shoulder function. Strength recovery is demonstrated in medium correlation with tendon healing.

Keywords: Arthroscopy; Muscle strength dynamometer; Rotator cuff; Shoulder; Subscapularis; Tendon injuries.