[Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: evaluation of outcomes and analysis of prognostic factors].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of full-thickness tears and to determine prognostic factors.


METHODS
Forty-one shoulders of 40 patients (16 males, 24 females; mean age 56 years; range 39 to 72 years) unresponsive to conservative treatment were evaluated. The mean symptom duration was 15 months (range 2 to 24 months). Involvement was on the right in 34 shoulders, on the left in seven shoulders, 80% being on the dominant side. The range of motion was measured with a goniometer, muscle strength was measured manually. Clinical and functional evaluations were based on physical and radiological examinations, and the UCLA scale. The mean follow-up was 37 months (range 12 to 61 months). Prognostic factors included age, symptom duration, range of motion, muscle strength, tear size, retraction and quality of tendon, and fatty degenerative changes.


RESULTS
According to the UCLA scale, the results were satisfactory in 29 shoulders (70.7%), moderate in five (12.2%), and poor in seven (17.1%). Six shoulders (14.6%) required revision surgery. Postoperative improvements in forward flexion and muscle strength were significant (p<0.05), whereas change in external rotation was insignificant (p>0.05). Age, tear size, retraction and quality of tendon, and fatty degenerative changes were found to significantly affect unsatisfactory results (p<0.05). Preoperative symptom duration, range of motion, and muscle strength were not effective on the results (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are not as successful as those obtained from open procedures. The results may be more satisfactory through improving arthroscopic skills and taking prognostic factors into consideration in patient selection.
Ozbaydar
Mehmet Uğur
MU
Okmeydani Eğitim ve Araştirma Hastanesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği. mehmetozbaydar@hotmail.com
Tonbul
Murat
M
Tekin
Ali Cağri
AC
Yalaman
Okan
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome