Arthroscopic repair of massive, contracted, immobile tears using interval slides: clinical and MRI structural follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and structural outcomes of arthroscopic repair of massive, contracted, immobile rotator cuff tears using interval slides.


METHODS
Eleven patients who had rotator cuff tears that were irreparable using standard mobilization techniques, but were repaired using interval slides were reviewed. Patients were evaluated at mean 25.2 months (±10.3) post-operatively utilizing a standardized clinical examination and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


RESULTS
American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores improved significantly (ASES p = 0.0001; SST p = 0.0001) from pre- to post-operative. Range of motion in forward elevation and external rotation increased from pre- to post-operative, though not significantly. Strength via manual muscle testing improved on forward elevation (p = 0.001) and external rotation (p = 0.007) from pre- to post-operative. Post-operative MRI demonstrated massive re-tearing to the original size in 6 patients (55 %) and intact rotator cuffs with tissue spanning the defects in 5 (45 %) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with massive, contracted, immobile tears, an interval slide technique may be utilized as a salvage procedure. Arthroscopic repair of massive, contracted, immobile rotator cuff tears using interval slide techniques can lead to good clinical and satisfactory structural outcomes.


METHODS
IV.
Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive, NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.
Randa
R
Berdusco
John N
JN
Trantalis
Atiba A
AA
Nelson
Stephen
S
Sohmer
Kristie D
KD
More
Benjamin
B
Wong
Richard S
RS
Boorman
Ian K Y
IK
Lo
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods