Quality of Life and Functional Results of Arthroscopic Partial Repair of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose: To evaluate the minimum 2-year results and possible outcomes of arthroscopic partial repair in different patterns of irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: Patients suffering from an irreparable supraspinatus and a reparable infraspinatus tendons who underwent arthroscopic partial repair with a minimum 24-month follow-up were included in this study. The Constant and Murley score (CMS) was used to assess patients' functionality pre-and postoperatively. Postoperative patient assessment included the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and the Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). A postoperative range of motion, CMS, and strength were compared with the contralateral side. Postoperative SF-36 was compared with age-and sex-matched norms. Results: Ninety patients (95 shoulders) were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 7 (range 2-12) years. The subscapularis tendon was intact in 80 shoulders and torn but completely reparable in the remaining 15 shoulders. The CMS improved from 39.1 +/- 8.4 (10-61) to 76.3 +/- 9.7 (32-93) (P<.001). The mean postoperative SST was 9.1 +/- 2.2 (1-12). Although the patients had lower postoperative abduction and internal rotation, strength in abduction and CMS in comparison with the measurements from the contralateral side, the median postoperative SF-36 physical and mental component summaries were 98% and 100% of the matched norms. No significant differences were found in postoperative outcomes according to the RCT pattern. Males showed significantly higher strengths in abduction (B=-1.384, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.144 to -0.624, eta(2)=0.123, P<.001, 95% power), external rotation (B=-3.646, 95% CI -5.2 to -2.092, eta(2)=0.189, P<.001, 100% power), and internal rotation (B=-3.867, 95% CI -5.676 to -2.057, eta(2)=0.162, P<.001, 99% power) than females. Significantly higher ranges of abduction (eta(2)=0.431, P -.019, 98% power) and external rotation (eta(2)=0.417, P<.03, 97% power) were noted in younger patients. Higher strengths in abduction (eta(2)=0.495, P=.002, 100% power) and internal rotation (eta(2)=0.464, P=.006, 99% power) were also reported in these patients. Conclusions: When there is an irreparable supraspinatus but there is still the possibility to repair the infraspinatus and subscapularis, the arthroscopic partial cuff repair should be considered as an effective surgical option. Indeed, a significant clinical improvement can be achieved and, differently from pure symptomatic surgical procedures, this technique represents a reasonable effort to restore, at least in part, the shoulder joint functionality. Successful and reliable results can be expected at an average 7-year follow-up, regardless of the RCT pattern. Female and older patients have a greater likelihood of lower functional outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.