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. 2015 Jun 5;128(11):1496-501.
doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.157669.

Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results of Arthroscopic Repair of Intratendinous Partial-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

Jian Xiao, Guo-Qing Cui  1
Affiliations

Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results of Arthroscopic Repair of Intratendinous Partial-thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

Jian Xiao et al. Chin Med J (Engl). .

Abstract

Background: Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs) are being diagnosed more often because of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared with articular and bursal side tears, there have been few studies about evaluating the clinical and structural outcomes after intratendinous tear repair.

Methods: From 2008 to 2012, 33 consecutive patients with intratendinous PTRCTs underwent arthroscopic repair. All of them were retrospectively evaluated. The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and constant scores were evaluated before operation and at the final follow-up. Postoperative cuff integrity was determined using MRI according to Sugaya's classification.

Results: At the 2-year follow-up, the average UCLA score increased from 16.7 ± 1.9 to 32.5 ± 3.5, and the constant score increased from 66.2 ± 10.5 to 92.4 ± 6.9 (P < 0.001). Twenty seven patients received follow-up MRI examinations at an average of 15.2 months after surgery. Of these 27 patients, 22 (81.5%) had a healed tendon, and five patients had partial tears. There was no association between functional and anatomic results.

Conclusions: For intratendinous PTRCT, clinical outcomes and tendon healing showed good results at a minimum 2-year after arthroscopic repair.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Arthroscopic view from a posterior glenohumeral portal of a right shoulder shows introduction of a polydioxynone marking suture through supraspinatus tendon. The articular side tendon is intact. HH: Humeral head; BT: Biceps tendon (note: All arthroscopic views are of right shoulders oriented in the beach-chair position).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Arthroscopic view from a posterolateral subacromial portal shows inspection of the intact bursal side tendon with hooked probe around the polydioxynone suture.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Arthroscopic view from a posterolateral subacromial portal shows that the bursal side tendon appeared soft and lax.
Figure 4
Figure 4
After inserting the probe into the tendon, a cavity within the tendon could be felt, and the bone trough of the greater tuberosity could be palpated easily. Arthroscopic view from a posterolateral subacromial portal.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Arthroscopic view from a posterolateral subacromial portal shows the intratendinous tear with the intact articular side tendon. *Normal articular side tendon.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Arthroscopic view from a posterolateral subacromial portal shows the completed single-row repair.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Preopreative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showing an intratendinous tear (black arrow).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showing rotator cuff integrity. (a) Type I, sufficient thickness with homogenously low intensity (white arrow); (b) Type II, sufficient thickness with partial high intensity (white arrow); (c) Type III, insufficient thickness without discontinuity (white arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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