Intra-articular repair of an isolated partial articular-surface tear of the subscapularis tendon.
BACKGROUND
Partial-thickness tear of the subscapularis tendon in the articular surface is common.


OBJECTIVE
Intra-articular repair of a partial articular-surface tear of the subscapularis tendon will provide a successful outcome.


METHODS
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.


METHODS
A total of 29 shoulders with an isolated partial articular-surface tear of the subscapularis tendon without another rotator cuff lesion were treated with arthroscopic intra-articular repair using suture anchors. Biceps tenodesis was performed in 16 patients. Outcomes were prospectively evaluated at a mean of 27 months (range, 19-41 months) using 3 objective (University of California at Los Angeles, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Index, Simple Shoulder Test) and 2 subjective (pain and function visual analog scales) measurements.


RESULTS
There were 21 men and 8 women, with a mean age of 54 years (range, 41-65 years). Tear widths were small (<1 cm) in 16 shoulders and large (>1 cm) in 13 shoulders. Twenty-six shoulders had articular cartilage erosion on the adjacent humeral head. Lesions of the biceps tendon were noted in 25 patients (partial tear in 15 shoulders; subluxation in 13 shoulders). Shoulder pain scores improved after surgery (5.0 +/- 2.7 to 0.3 +/- 0.7, P < .05). According to American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Index scores, 18 were excellent; 10, good; and 1, fair. Internal rotation strength deficit improved from 32% to 4%. Twenty-six patients returned to more than 90% of previous activity. There were no surgical complications; tear size and biceps tenodesis did not affect outcome (P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic intra-articular repair of a partial articular-surface tear of the subscapularis tendon is an effective procedure that spares the intact tendon attachment in the bursal surface. Short-term outcomes were reliable by both objective and subjective measurements.
Kim
Seung-Ho
SH
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Madi Hospital, 192-5 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea 135-010. shk@madi.or.kr
Oh
Irvin
I
Park
Jun-Sic
JS
Shin
Seong-Kee
SK
Jeong
Woong-Kyo
WK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012399:Rotation; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome