This article reports on 67 patients average age 52 years having rotator cuff repairs. Tears involved the supraspinatus only (53%), the supraspinatus and infraspinatus (36%), the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis (6%), and the supraspinatus and subscapularis (4%). These were chronic tears with an average time from onset of symptoms to repair of 2.4 year. Tear size at surgery was measured in two directions in 43 patients: 23 tears measured 9 square centimeters or less and 20 tears measured greater than 9 square centimeters. Free tendon grafts were used in 52 of the 67 shoulders.
At a minimum followup of 16 years, the full thickness re tear rate was 94%; the remainder had partial thickness re tears. None of the repairs were fully intact at followup. Simple shoulder test results at followup were 9.1 for re tears with an area of 4 square centimeters or less and 7.6 for re tears with an area over 4 square centimeters (p .069). Preoperative SST data were not available.
These repairs were performed between 1980 to 1989, so it could be argued that the repair methods were below the standard of those used today. On the other hand, it can be pointed out that we do not have anywhere close to this duration of followup on current attempts to repair cuff defects of this magnitude.
These repairs were performed between 1980 to 1989, so it could be argued that the repair methods were below the standard of those used today. On the other hand, it can be pointed out that we do not have anywhere close to this duration of followup on current attempts to repair cuff defects of this magnitude.
We must continue to try to define when it is worth trying to repair a rotator cuff defect and when a smooth and move would be preferable.
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