Are the good functional results from arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff injuries maintained over the long term?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the good and excellent functional results from arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears are maintained over the long term.MethodsFrom the sample of the study conducted by our group in 2006, in which we evaluated the functional results from arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears, 35 patients were reassessed, 8 years after the first evaluation. The inclusion criteria were that these patients with massive rotator cuff tears operated by means of an arthroscopic technique, who participated in the previous study and achieved good or excellent outcomes according to the UCLA criteria. Patients whose results were not good or excellent in the first evaluation according to the UCLA criteria were excluded.ResultsAmong the 35 patients reassessed, 91% of them continued to present good and excellent results (40% excellent and 51% good), while 3% presented fair results and 6% poor results. The time interval between the first and second evaluations was 8 years and the minimum length of follow-up since the immediate postoperative period was 9 years (range: 9–17 years), with an average of 11.4 years.ConclusionThe good and excellent results from arthroscopic repair of massive rotator cuff tears were mostly maintained (91%), with the same level of function and satisfaction, even though 8 years had passed since the first assessment, with a follow-up period averaging 11.4 years.

Long-term Results of Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Initial Tear Size Matters: A Prospective Study on Clinical and Radiological Results at a Minimum Follow-up of 10 Years

“…Few other studies reported results of arthroscopic RC repair with medium to long follow-up: Marrero et al 30 evaluated 33 tears of different sizes at a minimum follow-up of 9 years, reporting a mean UCLA score of 31.8, with 87.7% excellent and good outcomes. Similar results were also reported by Miyazaki et al 34 on 35 arthroscopic repairs of massive RC tears, which maintained good functional results (UCLA score, 31.31) and satisfaction after a minimum follow-up of 9 years. Denard et al 10 reported 78% good to excellent outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up after arthroscopic RC repair of massive RC tears (mean UCLA, 30.7; mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, 85.7), further suggesting that double-row repair can provide a superior UCLA score compared with single-row technique.…”

Avaliação dos resultados funcionais do tratamento cirúrgico artroscópico da lesão completa do manguito rotador com seguimento mínimo de 10 anos

“… 1 2 The number of anchors used for lesion repair did not influence functional outcomes. In addition, it did not influence the performance or not of the total Mumford procedure and of acromioplasty, as corroborated by Miyazaki et al 21 …”

“…Observa-se na literatura poucos estudos que avaliam os escores funcionais de pacientes submetidos ao reparo videoartroscópico do MR com um seguimento pós-operatório mínimo de 10 anos. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 …”

“… 1 2 O número de âncoras utilizadas para o reparo das lesões não influenciou nos resultados dos escores funcionais. Assim como não influenciaram a realização ou não do procedimento de Mumford total e da acromioplastia, dados corroborados por Miyazaki et al 21 …”

The Effect of Rotator Cuff Repair on Natural History

“…Nonoperative treatment does not reduce tear size or alter the natural history of rotator cuff disease 1 - 5 . Rotator cuff repair can result in an intact bone-tendon interface 16 , 21 , 22 , and these results can be maintained in the long term 14 , 23 - 26 . However, it remains unknown whether rotator cuff repair alters the natural history of rotator cuff disease.…”