title: Mid-term results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression in patients with or without partial thickness rotator cuff tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate mid-term outcome in patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) for shoulder impingement syndrome with intact and partially torn rotator cuffs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 consecutive patients (83 shoulders) who underwent ASD for impingement syndrome between 2003 and 2006 were analyzed. Mean age was 57.1 years. Patients' self-reported Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) for pain was collected prospectively and was used as an instrument to measure surgical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean initial and final OSS for patients with an intact rotator cuff was 26.1 and 40.3, respectively, at a mean follow up of 71.9 months (nearly 7 years). The mean initial and final OSS for patients with a partially torn articular sided tear was 22.6 and 41.9, respectively, at mean follow up of 70.7 months. Both groups showed significant sustained improvement (P < 0.0001). The mean improvement of OSS following ASD was statistically greater (P < 0.03) for partially torn rotator cuff group (19.3 points) as compared to those with normal rotator cuff (14.2 points).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with dual pathology (partial rotator cuff tear and impingement) appreciated a significantly greater improvement following ASD compared to those with impingement alone. Both groups of patients had a similar final outcome at a mid-term follow up.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV, retrospective study on consecutive series of patients.
authors.affiliation: Yeovil Elbow and Shoulder Service, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, Somerset BA21 4AT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ahmed S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.forename: Amitabh J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Andrew F W
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Chambler