Arthroscopic Repair of Isolated Partial- and Full-Thickness Upper Third Subscapularis Tendon Tears: Minimum 2-Year Outcomes After Single-Anchor Repair and Biceps Tenodesis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate outcomes of arthroscopic single-anchor repair and biceps tenodesis of partial- and full-thickness tears of the upper third subscapularis (SSC).


METHODS
Thirty-three patients with arthroscopically confirmed isolated SSC tears, Lafosse type I (>50% of the tendon thickness involved), or type II were included. All patients underwent arthroscopic subcoracoid decompression, coracoplasty if the coracohumeral distance was narrowed, biceps tenodesis, and a single-anchor repair of the upper third SSC. No other reconstructive procedures were performed. Subjective evaluations included American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Short-Form 12, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and visual analog scale pain scores preoperatively and at minimum 2 years postoperatively.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients (n = 25 male, n = 6 female) were included in the final collective, because 2 patients refused participation. Minimum 2-year follow-up data were available for 28 of the 31 patients (90.3%). The mean age at the time of surgery was 54.8 (range, 36-71) years. The mean follow-up was 4.1 (range, 2.0-8.0) years. The results of all outcome measures improved significantly postoperatively compared with preoperative scores (P < .05). Patients with single-anchor repair of type II SSC tears (n = 17) had a significantly higher mean postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (93.7 ± 10.8) than patients with single-anchor repair of type I SSC tears (n = 11; 86.7 ± 10.9; P = .027).


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic single-anchor repair of upper third SSC tendon tears led to improved function and decreased pain with high patient satisfaction. Outcomes of full-thickness upper third SSC tears were more favorable compared with outcomes of high grade partial-thickness upper third SSC tears.


METHODS
Level IV, retrospective therapeutic case series.
Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.; Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
J Christoph
JC
Katthagen
Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.; The Steadman Clinic, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.
Alexander R
AR
Vap
Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.
Dimitri S
DS
Tahal
Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.
Marilee P
MP
Horan
Center for Outcomes-Based Orthopaedic Research at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.; The Steadman Clinic, Vail, Colorado, U.S.A.. Electronic address: drmillett@thesteadmanclinic.com.
Peter J
PJ
Millett
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D017006:Rotator Cuff; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D053656:Tenodesis