Arthroscopic Transtendon Repair of Partial-Thickness Articular-Side Rotator Cuff Tears

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications in a series of patients with painful partial articular cuff tears treated with the arthroscopic transtendinous repair with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Methods: Eighty patients with a mean age of 51 +/- 5.4 years who had undergone an arthroscopic transtendon repair for a painful articular-sided rotator cuff tear with a minimum of 2-year follow-up were contacted. Clinical outcomes using a patient-based questionnaire, the University of California at Los Angeles score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the visual analog scale were evaluated. Postoperative complications were also assessed. Results: After arthroscopic repair, the University of California at Los Angeles scores improved from 13.6 to 31.5; the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores improved from 44.4 to 76.1; and the visual analog scale scores improved from 6.3 to 1.3 (P < .0001). A total of 92.5% of patients were satisfied with their results. Only 5 patients developed a postoperative adhesive capsulitis that responded favorably to physical therapy. Eleven patients had concurrent procedures performed at the time of surgery. We found no difference between these patients and those who had an isolated tendon repair. Conclusions: Arthroscopic transtendon repair of partial-thickness articular-side rotator cuff tears is a reliable procedure that can be expected to produce satisfactory functional improvements and pain relief in most patients with a low rate of complications in the midterm follow-up. Concurrent procedures performed at the time of supraspinatus repair do not change functional outcomes.