Comparison of the clinical efficacy and prognosis of the two techniques for treating partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears under arthroscopy

Background At present, shoulder arthroscopy is usually used for treatment of rotator cuff injuries. There is still debate over the precise technique of using shoulder arthroscopy to treat partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon injuries. Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of the arthroscopic transtendon repair method and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair method in the treatment of patients with Ellman III partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears and to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative efficacy. Study design Cohort study; level of evidence,4. Methods A total of 84 partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) patients with Ellman III injuries who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were selected and divided into the arthroscopic trans-tenon repair group (32 cases) and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair group (52 cases). Shoulder joint pain and functional status were assessed by the Constant score, ASES score and VAS score; shoulder mobility was assessed by measuring shoulder ROM. The clinical outcomes of the two groups of patients were compared, and the factors affecting the postoperative efficacy of the patients were investigated. Results All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The Constant score, ASES score, and VAS score of the two groups of patients were all improved compared with those before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the Constant score, ASES score, or VAS score between the two groups (P > 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative ASES score and whether biceps tenotomy was performed were independent risk factors for satisfactory postoperative efficacy (P < 0.05). Conclusion For patients with Ellman III partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears, the arthroscopic transtendon repair method and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair method can both significantly improve the shoulder pain and function of the patient, but there is no significant difference between the efficacy of the two surgical methods. The preoperative ASES score and whether biceps tenotomy was performed were independent risk factors for satisfactory postoperative efficacy in PTRCT patients with Ellman III injury.