[Complete rotator cuff lesions in athletes].

The causal etiologies of complete rotator cuff lesions are described. Handball, volleyball, rugby, throwing and putting disciplins, but also tennis, swimming, golf and artistic gymnastics are regarded as sports especially straining the periarticular structures of the shoulder joints. In the period from November 1980 to April 1986, 72 shoulder joints with complete rotator cuff lesions were treated surgically (bilaterally in three cases). The 69 patients comprised 16 recreational and 11 competitive sportsmen. An average of 2.4 years after the operation, 66 shoulder joints (91.6%) could followed up clinically and sonographically with simultaneous use of a 100-point-score. Good and very good results were shown in 70% of the cases.