Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: results according to the degree of rotator cuff tear.

We evaluated the results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression according to the degree of rotator cuff tear in 71 patients, available for follow-up for at least 1 year (average 19 months). Of the patients with stage II disease, 82% were satisfied regardless of whether they had no rotator cuff tear (nine of 11) or had a partial tear (28 of 34) of the rotator cuff. Of patients with stage III disease (complete rotator cuff tear), 88% (23 of 26) were satisfied. An acceptable objective UCLA shoulder rating greater than or equal to 28 points was seen in 82% (nine of 11) of the patients without a rotator cuff tear, 76% (26 of 34) with a partial tear, and 77% (20 of 26) with a complete tear. All four of the patients with complete tears less than 1 cm obtained excellent results. Three of the six failures were in patients with complete tears who had a narrowed acromial-humeral distance of less than 7 mm. The average UCLA pain score showed significant improvement from 2.8 (constant pain) to 8.6 (occasional pain) at 1-2 years postoperatively. The function, strength, and active forward flexion scores also increased at 1-2 years from their preoperative values. The overall patient satisfaction rate of 85% and the objective success rate of 77% are within the range of that seen with open rotator cuff repair.