Mats C Ranebo1, Hanna C Björnsson Hallgren2, Rolf Norlin3, Lars E Adolfsson4. 1. Department of Orthopedics, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden; The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: mats.ranebo@ltkalmar.se. 2. Department of Orthopedics, Linkoping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. 3. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 4. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Orthopedics, Linkoping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Long-term results regarding tear progression, arthropathy, and clinical scores of unrepaired rotator cuff tears are largely unknown. This study investigated whether the condition of the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff had deteriorated at a minimum of 20 years after an acromioplasty without cuff repair and assessed the clinical results. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of a consecutive series of patients treated between 1989 and 1993 with acromioplasty without cuff repair due to subacromial pain and cuff tear. At follow-up results of x-ray, ultrasonography, and clinical scores were recorded. RESULTS: At a mean of 22 years (range, 21-25 years), 69 patients were available for follow-up with Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, Constant-Murley (CM) score, x-ray, and ultrasonography. Mean age at operation was 49 years (range, 19-69 years). There were 45 partial-thickness tears (PTT) and 24 full-thickness tears (FTT). Of 23 patients with FTT, 17 (74% with x-ray) had developed cuff tear arthropathy (Hamada ≥2) and 20 (87% with ultrasonography) had progressed in tear size. Mean relative CM in patients with FTT and cuff tear arthropathy was 62 (standard deviation [SD], 27), and the mean WORC was 58% (SD, 26%). In the 43 PTT patients, 3 (7% with x-ray) had developed cuff tear arthropathy and 16 (42% with ultrasonography) had tear progression. With PTT at follow-up, the mean relative CM was 101 (SD, 22), and the mean WORC was 81% (SD, 20%). CONCLUSIONS: After an acromioplasty, most unrepaired full-thickness tears will, in long-term, increase in size and be accompanied by cuff tear arthropathy changes. Most partial thickness tears remain unchanged; cuff tear arthropathy is rare, and clinical scores generally good.
BACKGROUND: Long-term results regarding tear progression, arthropathy, and clinical scores of unrepaired rotator cuff tears are largely unknown. This study investigated whether the condition of the glenohumeral joint and rotator cuff had deteriorated at a minimum of 20 years after an acromioplasty without cuff repair and assessed the clinical results. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of a consecutive series of patients treated between 1989 and 1993 with acromioplasty without cuff repair due to subacromial pain and cuff tear. At follow-up results of x-ray, ultrasonography, and clinical scores were recorded. RESULTS: At a mean of 22 years (range, 21-25 years), 69 patients were available for follow-up with Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, Constant-Murley (CM) score, x-ray, and ultrasonography. Mean age at operation was 49 years (range, 19-69 years). There were 45 partial-thickness tears (PTT) and 24 full-thickness tears (FTT). Of 23 patients with FTT, 17 (74% with x-ray) had developed cuff tear arthropathy (Hamada ≥2) and 20 (87% with ultrasonography) had progressed in tear size. Mean relative CM in patients with FTT and cuff tear arthropathy was 62 (standard deviation [SD], 27), and the mean WORC was 58% (SD, 26%). In the 43 PTT patients, 3 (7% with x-ray) had developed cuff tear arthropathy and 16 (42% with ultrasonography) had tear progression. With PTT at follow-up, the mean relative CM was 101 (SD, 22), and the mean WORC was 81% (SD, 20%). CONCLUSIONS: After an acromioplasty, most unrepaired full-thickness tears will, in long-term, increase in size and be accompanied by cuff tear arthropathy changes. Most partial thickness tears remain unchanged; cuff tear arthropathy is rare, and clinical scores generally good.
Authors: A A Narvani; M A Imam; A Godenèche; E Calvo; S Corbett; A L Wallace; E Itoi Journal: Ann R Coll Surg Engl Date: 2020-01-03 Impact factor: 1.891
Authors: Avinesh Agarwalla; Gregory L Cvetanovich; Anirudh K Gowd; Anthony A Romeo; Brian J Cole; Nikhil N Verma; Brian Forsythe Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-05-28