Rotator Cuff Repair Improves Clinical Function and Stability in Patients Older Than 50 Years With Anterior Shoulder Dislocations and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND

Older patients with shoulder instability have a higher prevalence of rotator cuff tears and anterior capsular lesions. Simultaneous rotator cuff repair and labral repair are commonly performed to improve shoulder stability and function.

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for older patients with shoulder dislocations combined with massive rotator cuff tears and intact labral tissue.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A cohort consisting of 11 patients older than 50 years with shoulder dislocations and massive rotator cuff tears undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was identified between December 2015 and January 2018. Rotator cuff repair was performed after Bankart, superior labral anterior-posterior, and humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament lesions were excluded during arthroscopic surgery. Preoperative and 12-month postoperative outcomes including modified University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), and visual analog scale for pain scores as well as range of motion (ROM) were recorded.

RESULTS

The supraspinatus tendon was torn in all patients. Also, 36.4% of the patients had 3 rotator cuff tendons torn. For shoulder function, the preoperative UCLA score (12.1 ± 2.5 [range, 9-16]) and ASES score (35.4 ± 12.7 [range, 24-44]) significantly improved to 29.4 ± 4.3 (range, 24-35; < .001) and 79.4 ± 16.0 (range, 45-95; < .001), respectively, at 12 months postoperatively. None of the patients experienced shoulder redislocations at 12 months after surgery. For shoulder stability, the postoperative WOSI score (156.8 ± 121.0 [range, 45-365]) was significantly better than was the preoperative score (713.0 ± 238.6 [range, 395-1090]) ( < .001). For comparisons between preoperative and postoperative ROM, forward flexion, abduction, and external and internal rotation at the side significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

For patients older than 50 years with shoulder dislocations combined with massive rotator cuff tears and an intact labrum, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone achieved satisfactory functional outcomes and ROM without the recurrence of dislocations.