Magnetic resonance imaging tendon integrity assessment after arthroscopic partial-thickness rotator cuff repair.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to assess the integrity of the repaired rotator cuff in patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears who underwent a technique of tear completion followed by surgical repair, using post-repair magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a minimum of 2 years' follow-up.


METHODS
An all-arthroscopic surgical technique was used for these marked partial-thickness tears, by use of double-loaded footprint anchors and/or lateral sutures or anchors as appropriate for tissue quality. A total of 22 patients who had completion of the tear followed by repair were reimaged with 2-sequence noncontrast MRI to determine the integrity of the rotator cuff repair at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.


RESULTS
Of the 22 patients, 18 (82%) had no evidence of a full-thickness or near full-thickness defect on follow-up MRI. The presence of a defect on follow-up MRI (18%) did not correlate with clinical results. Younger patients showed a trend toward maintaining better integrity.


CONCLUSIONS
In 18 of 22 patients (82%) with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears treated with tear completion followed by surgical repair, there was no evidence of a full-thickness or near full-thickness defect on follow-up MRI at a minimum of 2 years. The patient's age may be an important factor in tendon healing.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
The Sports Clinic Orthopedic Medical Associates, Inc., Laguna Hills, California 92653, USA.
Jaideep J
JJ
Iyengar
Sharoun
S
Porat
Keith R
KR
Burnett
Luis
L
Marrero-Perez
Victor H
VH
Hernandez
Wesley M
WM
Nottage
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
D003287:Contrast Media