Acromioplasty, Distal Clavicle Resection and Rotator Cuff Repair in Elderly Patients with Rotator Cuff Tear and Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objectives: To present the surgical results on a specific, selected group of sixteen elderly patients (average age: 65.6 years) who had both rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. Methods: Three procedures were carried out through a single anterior incision. Acromioplasty was done first, followed by distal clavicle resection and the rotator cuff repair was performed last. A modified UCLA shoulder scoring system and a L' Insalata self-administered questionnaire were used to assess the surgical results. Results: The patients were followed up for an average of 44.1 months. The modified UCLA score improved from 14.5±3.44 to 32.81±2.04 (p＜0.001). The overall and each of the domain scores in the L' Insalata self-administered questionnaire showed significant improvement. Conclusions: This combination of three procedures through a single anterior skin incision is an effective surgical method in the treatment of patients who have been affected with both rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.