Results of rotator cuff tendon repair in patients with different stages of rotator cuff arthropathy (retrospective study)

Abstract

Background. There are a large number of patients with unsatisfactory results of rotator cuff tendon repair (RCTR), despite the correctly performed surgical treatment, adequate rehabilitation and the absence of repeated trauma in past medical history. The purpose of the work is to investigate the results of RCTR in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy of various degrees. Materials and methods. In 174 (100 %) patients with rotator cuff arthropathy of varying severity, RCTR was performed both by the open method — 67 (38.5 %) patients and using arthroscopic technique — 107 (61.5 %) cases. In our study, all participants were divided into groups depending on the stage of rotator cuff arthropathy according to Hamada. The function of the shoulder was assessed using the Constant Shoulder Score and visual analog scale before surgery, 6 and 12 months after it. Results. The best average results on the Constant Shoulder Score 6 months after surgery among all patients were obtained in the group with the first stage of rotator cuff arthropathy — 36.9 ± 19.1 points, findings were slightly worse in the group with the second stage of rotator cuff arthropathy — 41.4 ± 12.1 points. In the groups with the third and fourth stages of rotator cuff arthropathy, the results were almost the same as the preoperative ones. Conclusions. It is not recommended to perform RCTR in patients with stages 2–4 of rotator cuff arthropathy.