[Injuries of the rotator cuff of the shoulder - experiences in diagnosis and treatment (author's transl)].

Arthrography is an established method to verify injuries of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. In this paper referring about 32 patients with 34 cuff injuries the results after operation (16 patients) and conservative treatment (18 patients) are compared. The following statements based on our experiences are possible: If conservative treatment is without result, operation should be done within 8 weeks after the accident. - Because of the danger of exostoses at the point of the osteotomy of the acromion which includes the restriction of movement, the transacromial approach is not advisable. - If there is only a small space between the acromion and the humeral head resection of the coracoacromial ligament is an advisable method for better admittance to the shoulder joint. - A sufficient treatment in the postoperative phase is of great importance for a good functional result.