Comparative study of arthroscopic treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear with or without frozen shoulder (SS-77)

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the comparative results of arthroscopic treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear with or without frozen shoulder. Materials and Methods: We evaluated thirty consecutive patients with isolated full-thickness rotator cuff tear (group A), and twenty consecutive patients with concomitant full-thickness rotator cuff tear and frozen shoulders (group B) for a mean of 2 years 6 months (range, 1 year to 5 years 11 months) following arthroscopic treatment. The clinical results were evaluated with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Rating Scale. In group A, there were 11 men and 19 women with 25 dominant shoulders and in group B, 8 men and 12 women with 14 dominant shoulders. The average tear size was 24.5 ± 15.1 mm in group A, and 17.0 ± 13.0 mm in group B. In this study, severe arthritis in the acromioclavicular joint and the glenohumeral joint was excluded. Results: In group A, pain score was improved from 2.2 ± 1.2 before operation to 9.2 ± 1.2 after operation, function score, 4.1 ± 1.8 to 9.7 ± 0.7, forward flexion score, from 3.8 ± 1.3 to 5.0 ± 0.2 and strength score, from 4.3 ± 0.7 to 5.0, respectively. In group B, pain score was improved from 3.0 ± 1.5 to 9.2 ± 1.2, function score, from 4.3 ± 2.0 to 9.7 ± 0.7, forward flexion score, from 2.4 ± 0.7 to 5.0, and strength score, from 4.0 ± 0.8 to 5.0, respectively. In group B, forward flexion was improved from 86.0° ± 21.6° before operation to 173.5° ± 8.8° after operation, abduction, from 79.8° ± 32.7° to 173.0° ± 6.6°, external rotation, from 27.0° ± 12.6° to 55.3° ± 5.3°, respectively (P < .05). The UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale showed 93% good/excellent results in group A, and 95% in group B. There was no statistical difference of results in group A and B using paired t test. Conclusions: Arthroscopic management is an very effective treatment modality of full-thickness rotator cuff tear with or without frozen shoulder. For successful results, early mobilization and control of pain after operation as well as adequate arthroscopic procedures are critical.