J Korean Shoulder Elbow Soc.  2009 Jun;12(1):7-13.

Tuberoplasty for Irreparable Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

• Yi JW
• Cho NS
• Cho SH
• Cho HJ
• Rhee YG

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eleven patients underwent arthroscopic tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears between December 2004 and April 2007. The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months, and the average age at the time of surgery was 61.7-year-old. Five cases underwent arthroscopic tuberoplasty and 6 cases had arthroscopic subacromial decompression and tuberoplasty, simultaneously.
RESULTS
The average Constant score improved from 61.8 to 86.9 and the average UCLA score changed from 14.8 to 31.8 with 6 excellent, 3 good and 2 poor results (p=0.003). The active forward flexion improved from 111.8degrees to 154.1degrees (p=0.011). The acromiohumeral interval increased from 3.94 mm preoperatively to 4.22 mm postoperatively (p=0.12). In the poor UCLA score group, the acromiohumeral interval changed from 1.67 mm preoperatively to 0.94 mm postoperatively.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic tuberoplasty may be a second option to relieve the pain of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears and improve the range of motion. However, good results could not be expected if the acromiohumeral interval is< 2 mm preoperatively and decreased postoperatively.

Keyword

Shoulder; Rotator cuff tear; Arthroscopic repair; Tuberoplasty

MeSH Terms

Decompression
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Range of Motion, Articular
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder