title: EXTENSIVE ROTATOR CUFF INJURIES: AN EVALUATION OF ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIR OUTCOMES.
abstract: To assess the outcomes of the surgical treatment of extensive rotator cuff injuries through arthroscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 1998 and October 2006, 61 patients with extensive rotator cuff injuries and submitted to surgical arthroscopy technique by the Shoulder and Elbow Group of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia Medical School were reassessed. The study included all patients with at least two tendons affected or with retraction at least on two tendons up to the glenoidal cavity edge and with at least 12 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to UCLA's evaluation criteria, 54 (89%) patients showed excellent or good outcomes; no fair outcome in none of the patients; and seven (11%) poor outcomes. A satisfaction rate of 92% was reported. Postoperative joint motion went from a mean lifting value of 93° to 141°, the mean lateral rotation went from 32° to 48° and the mean medial rotation went from L1 to T10. These differences were regarded as statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The arthroscopic repair of extensive rotator cuff injuries leads to satisfactory outcomes for most of the patients, with a high satisfaction degree.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Head, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Alberto Naoki
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregoneze
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Pedro Doneux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Luciana Andrade
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Cesar Moreira Mariz Pinto Rodrigo Tormin Ortiz
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Eduardo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Sergio Luiz
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Checchia
keywords: Arthroscopy/method; Evaluation studies; Rotator cuff