Partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 45 years

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the arthroscopic repair in patients with partial and full thickness rotator cuff tears and less than 45 years of age. Methods: Fifty patients (26 women and 24 men; mean age: 41.4 +/- 3.96 years; range: 31-45) with rotator cuff tear, and who were treated with the arthroscopic repair, were included in the study. Twenty patients had full thickness and 30 had partial-thickness tears. The final functional evaluation was conducted at a mean of 42.4 months (range, 24 to 95 months; SD:13.3). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) self-report score and the University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Score (UCLA Shoulder Score) were used as validated scoring systems. Results: At the final follow-up, the mean ASES and UCLA scores improved significantly to 72.3 and 26.5, respectively, in the full-thickness group (p<0.01). The mean ASES and UCLA scores improved significantly to 70.7 and 25.3, respectively, in the bursal-side group (p<0.01). The mean ASES and UCLA scores improved significantly to 75.3 and 27.1, respectively, in the joint-side group (p<0.01). There were no significant differences between the groups according to the postoperative ASES score (p>0.06) and UCLA score (p<0.37). Conclusion: The arthroscopic repair of the joint-sided tears and bursal-sided tears has good functional outcomes as full thickness rotator cuff tears, and the surgical option should be considered in younger population if the conservative treatment fails.