The influence of cuff pathology on shoulder function after arthroscopic subacromial decompression: A 3-and 6-year follow-up study

In the literature operative management of rotator cuff ruptures in the shou lder varies, from tendon repair to debridement of the cuff lesion combined with subacromial decompression. This study was made to evaluate whether pat ients with intact rotator cuff differed From patients with rotator cuff rup tures regarding functional outcome after arthroscopic subacromial decompres sion. We performed a clinical review of 39 patients with subacromial imping ement who all underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression; no other su rgery was performed. There were 13 patients with intact cuff 13 patients wi th partial-thickness supraspinatus ruptures, and 13 patients with full-thic kness supraspinatus ruptures <2 cm. Selection was based solely on the statu s of the supraspinatus tendon. Patients with other pathologic conditions we re excluded. Follow-up was performed after 3 and 6 years. The clinical eval uation was performed with the Constant score and the visual analog pain sco re. The 3- and 6-year follow-up (100% follow-up ratel revealed no significa nt difference between the groups regarding the Constant scores and the visu al analog scale valves. Also, no significant difference was seen among the 3 groups in active range of motion or strength, and the patients had no app reciable pain. We conclude that the functional outcome 6 years after arthro scopic subacromial decompression is not obviously related to the preoperati ve degree of cuff pathology, even if a total rupture of small size is prese nt.