Summary

SINGLE-STAGE ARTHROSCOPIC REPAIR AND CAPSULAR RELEASE FOR ROTATOR CUFF TEARS WITH STIFFNESS RESULTS IN A GOOD CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOME WITH COMPARABLE RETEARS IN BOTH GROUPS

Abstract

Introduction

There has been limited literature comparing the outcomes of concomitant treatment of rotator cuff tears with stiffness using a single-stage operative procedure. Our study aimed to analyse the functional outcomes & retear rates after a single-stage arthroscopic capsular release(ACR) & cuff repair for patients with cuff tear & stiffness by conducting a matched cohort analysis with cuff repairs without stiffness.

Materials And Methods

Patients who presented with full-thickness rotator cuff tears & concomitant stiffness were included in the study(Group I)(n=19). Clinical assessment was done in terms of range of motion (ROM), Visual analogue score (VAS), Constant score & American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores. Group I was compared to a matched cohort of patients undergoing cuff repair without stiffness during the same study period(Group II)(n=38). MRI analysis was done at one year postoperatively to assess healing of the cuff.

Results

19/41 patients in group I with a mean follow-up of 27.3(±14.2) months were compared to 38/420 in group II patients at a mean follow-up of 35(±8.1) months. All parameters improved significantly postoperatively & were comparable in both groups though recovery was slower in Group I. We had 3/19(15.8%) & 8/41(21%) retears in Group I & II respectively, however this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Single-stage arthroscopic repair and capsular release for rotator cuff tears with stiffness results in a good clinical and radiological outcome. Retear rates are comparable to cuff tears without stiffness.