title: Long-term outcome of tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears: is tuberoplasty really applicable?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberoplasty is a therapeutic option for irreparable massive rotator cuff tear (RCT). However, no study has reported long-term outcomes after arthroscopic tuberoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 16 patients who underwent arthroscopic tuberoplasty for symptomatic irreparable massive RCT without pseudoparalysis. Patients were a mean age of 64 years (range, 43-80 years) at the time of the operation, and the mean duration of follow-up was 98 months (range, 84-126 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the last follow-up, the visual analog scale score for pain during motion had decreased to 2.3 from a preoperative mean of 6.9 (P < .001). The mean University of California at Los Angeles and Constant scores improved from 10.3 and 37.9 preoperatively to 27.2 and 59.2, respectively, at the last follow-up (P < .001 for both). The best University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Constant scores during the follow-up duration were 28.3 and 60.3, respectively, at 5 years. The mean acromiohumeral interval changed from 5 mm preoperatively to 4 mm at the last follow-up. The rate of continuity in the inferior scapulohumeral line decreased significantly from 69% (11 shoulders) preoperatively to 19% (3 shoulders) at the last follow-up (P = .011). Only 1 patient underwent revision surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic tuberoplasty yielded satisfactory outcomes during a mean 8-year follow-up period. Although superior migration of the humeral head progressed with time, the clinical outcomes were not affected. Arthroscopic tuberoplasty is a good option for relieving pain and improving functionality in nonpseudoparalytic patients with painful irreparable massive RCT.
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Gwan
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Su
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: shoulderrhee@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Yong Girl
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D058430:Humeral Head / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Shoulder; irreparable; massive; rotator cuff tear; subacromial decompression; tuberoplasty