RESULTS OF OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ROTATO R CUFF LESIONS OF THE SHOULDER

Objective: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate mid-term results of patients after surgical treatment of rotator-cuff-tears by means of clinical and ultrasonographical examination with special rega rd to factors influencing the prognosis. Method: 126 patients were exa mined clinically and ultrasonographically at a mean postoperative peri od of 37 months after surgery for rotator cuff lesions. A conservative therapy failed to be successful for at least 3 months before. All pat ients received an open decompression of the subacromial space. 68,6% o f the patients received an additional reconstruction of the rotator cu ff. The results were evaluated by use of the Constant-Score. The ultra sonographical examination was performed according to the technique des cribed by Hedtmann. Results: 69% of the patients showed good and excel lent results. The mean Constant-Score was 81,4% of the age- and sex-re lated normal values. Patients with lesions extending more than 3 cm di d significantly worse than those with smaller ruptures (Constant-Score : 74,2% vs. 90,6%). An involvement of the subscapularis-tendon was rel ated with bad results. A rerupture was seen ultrasonographically in 17 ,3% of the patients. Conclusion: Regarding strict criteria of evaluati on almost 70% of our patients not responding to conservative treatment achieved good and excellent results after surgery. Smaller lesions an d tears solely involving the supraspinatus-tendon were associated with a better prognosis. Ultrasonography allows a reliable examination of the rotator-cuff-anatomy postoperatively performed, too.