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Arthroscopic repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears using the biceps-incorporating technique: mid-term clinical and anatomical results

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical and clinical outcomes of a biceps-incorporating rotator cuff repair without detaching the biceps origin from the glenoid in a large or massive rotator cuff tear, in which the biceps tendon could be incorporated into the cuff defect and help to provide tendon healing and prevent upward migration of the humeral head.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five consecutive patients with a mean age of 62 years (41–81 years) had primary arthroscopic repair of their large or massive rotator cuff in which biceps tendon incorporated into the cuff defect without detaching the biceps tendon from the glenoid was performed. Functional outcome was determined by the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain during motions, simple shoulder test (SST), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (ASES) (mean follow-up, 24 months). The continuity of rotator cuff mechanism was evaluated using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among all the patients after 2 years.

Results

At the final follow-up, mean VAS scores increased significantly from 7.1 to 2.0 points, ASES scores from 35 to 83, UCLA scores from 14 to 30, and SST scores from 4 to 9, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, the range of motion was significantly increased except the external rotation from preoperative 27° to postoperative 33° (p = 0.183). MRI evaluation showed that 22 of 35 patients (63 %) had heeled tendons and 7 patients (20 %) had partial re-tear. Of 35 patients, 6 (17 %) had a complete re-tear. Only 3 of these 6 patients were not satisfied with the result.

Conclusions

Using this simple biceps-incorporating rotator cuff repair technique, we achieved good clinical and moderate anatomical results, and prevent superior migration of the humeral head in a large or massive rotator cuff tear.

Level of evidence

Level IV retrospective review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 520-2, Deahung-Dong, Joong-Ku, Daejeon, 302-803, South Korea

    Jong-Hun Ji, Mohamed Shafi, Jae-Jung Jeong & Sang-Eun Park

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  1. Jong-Hun Ji
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  2. Mohamed Shafi
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Correspondence to Mohamed Shafi.

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Ji, JH., Shafi, M., Jeong, JJ. et al. Arthroscopic repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears using the biceps-incorporating technique: mid-term clinical and anatomical results. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 24, 1367–1374 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1323-x

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