Results of limited open rotator cuff repair with partial acromioplasty for rotator cuff tears with subacromial impingement syndrome

Objectives: Short term results of partial acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair with a limited open surgical technique were evaluated in patients with rotator cuff tears. Patients and methods: Forty-eight patients (16 males, 32 females; mean age 52 years; range 29 to 70 years) with rotator cuff rupture were recruited to the study between January 2001 and December 2006. A limited open rotator cuff repair along with partial acromioplasty (via rasper) was applied in all cases. The Constant-Murley shoulder score was used before and after surgery. Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 38 months (range 14 to 70 months). Pre- and postoperative Constant-Murley scores averaged 44 (range 36 to 51) and 88 (range 75 to 96) respectively. Anchoring sutures were displaced in one subject (2%) and tendon insufficiency recurred, another two cases (4%) had impingement from secondary granulation tissue that developed due to sutures in the tendon repair site. Conclusion: We believe that minimal acromioplasty via a limited open surgical approach is an applicable technique with good results in the treatment of rotator cuff tears with subacromial impingement syndrome.