title: Arthroscopic assisted rotator cuff repair: results using a mini-open deltoid splitting approach.
abstract: Out of 78 patients identified who underwent mini-open cuff repair, 64 were interviewed and returned a detailed questionnaire and 47 returned for a physical examination. Their average age was 64 years (31 to 85 years); and the average follow-up was 29.2 months (range, 12 to 65 months). The average tear size was 8 cm2. Preoperatively, all patients complained of pain and weakness. Ninety-six percent of patients displayed positive impingement signs preoperatively compared with 16% postoperatively. Active elevation increased significantly (P < .05) from 129 degrees to 166 degrees. At the time of follow-up there was no significant difference between active elevation in the operative and contralateral shoulders (P > .05). Weakness was detectable by physical examination in 83% of patients initially, and in 22% at the time of the final examination. The average pain and function scores improved significantly. Eighty-nine percent were satisfied with the results of their surgery. Three patients required further surgery on their shoulder. We found no correlation between cuff tear size and final Hospital for Special Surgery shoulder score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5296, USA.
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Blevins
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavo
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Altchek
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dines
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palletta
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wickiewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020679:Arthroscopes; D019723:Endoscopes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome