Arthro-C-scan analysis of rotator cuff tears healing after arthroscopic repair: analysis of predictive factors in a consecutive series of 167 arthroscopic repairs

• Published in: Revue de chirurgie orthopédique et réparatrice de l'apparell moteur Vol. 92; no. 3; p. 223
• Main Authors: Charousset, C, Duranthon, L D, Grimberg, J, Bellaiche, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthrography - methods; Arthroscopy; Bone Density - physiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Forecasting; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Rotator Cuff - diagnostic imaging; Rotator Cuff - surgery; Rotator Cuff Injuries; Rupture; Sex Factors; Shoulder Pain - physiopathology; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing - physiology
• ISSN: 0035-1040

Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears is a well described technique with good clinical results. The purpose of this work was to use the arthro-CT-scan to evaluate tendon healing after arthroscopic repair and search for epidemiological, anatomic and technical factors predictive of tendon healing. This prospective consecutive series included 167 non-randomized shoulders. All patients underwent a preoperative assessment using the crude Constant score and a standard x-ray protocol to evaluate cuff status. Cuff repairs were all performed arthroscopically. The crude Constant score was used to follow patients. A control arthroscan was obtained in 148 patients. Mean patient age was 59 years, 46% men and 77% dominant side. Mean duration of symptoms before repair was nine months. The tears resulted from trauma in 28%, including 9% occupational accidents. The preoperative mean crude Constant score was 52.4 (range 15-77). An isolated tear of the supraspinatus was observed in 68%. Frontal retraction of the supraspinatus was distal in 74%. In 29 cases, reduction was difficult. The quality of the tendon was considered normal in 56 cases and non-anatomic repair was necessary in six. At last follow-up (19 months on average) the mean crude Constant score was 80 (range 49-95). Arthro-CT-scan was performed to control healing in 148 patients and revealed anatomic healing in 69, defective healing in 27, and repeated tears in 52 shoulders. Factors predictive of healing were: tear less than six months old, sedentary occupational activity, non-dominant side, young patient, female gender, isolated small non-retracted tear of the supraspinatus, normal appearance of an easily reduced tendon, and good bone quality. Time from tear to repair was long in this series. Tendon and muscle changes occurring after the injury could explain in part the healing failures. But this study confirmed good functional and anatomic results given by arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears.