Incomplete rotator cuff tears. Results of operative treatment.

Thirty-eight shoulders of 36 patients with incomplete rotator cuff tears surgically repaired were evaluated, with an average follow-up period of 4.9 years. The average age at operation was 52.2 years. Three types of incomplete tears were identified: superficial (12 shoulders), intratendinous (three), and deep surface tears (23). Full-thickness cuff involving the lesion was resected and repaired by side-to-side suture (13 shoulders), side-to-bone suture (eight), fascial patch grafting (16), or side-to-bone suture with fascial patch grafting (one). The overall results were satisfactory in 31 shoulders (82%). The results were not affected by the tear types, operative methods, or follow-up period. The patients with poor results were associated with major complications other than rotator cuff tears or with insufficient resection of the damaged cuff. When the full-thickness cuff involving the lesion is completely resected and repaired, long-term satisfactory results can be anticipated in a high percentage of patients regardless of tear types.