Outcomes of repaired and intact rotator cable in large posterosuperior rotator cuff ruptures.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of patients with large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears between those with intact rotator cables (crescent-shaped tears) and those with repaired rotator cables (U-, V-, or L-shaped tears).

Methods: Eighty-two patients with a mean age of 64.05 ± 9.06 years who underwent arthroscopic repair due to large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears were evaluated with a follow-up period of 32 ± 5.9 months. Forty-two patients with an intact rotator cable and 40 patients with a repaired rotator cable (rotator cable restored with tendon-tendon sutures) were evaluated regarding preoperative and postoperative pain and functional outcomes.

Results: There was no significant difference in the constant score between the rotator cable repaired and the intact group (P=.22). However, when the sub-dimensions of the Constant score were compared separately, the forward flexion was significantly higher in the group with the intact rotator cable (P=.002). When the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared, lower scores were observed in the group with the repaired rotator cable (P < .001).

Conclusion: In large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, patients with a repaired rotator cables experienced more significant pain relief compared to those with intact rotator cables, although their forward flexion was lower. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the tear type and the rotator cable condition in large posterosuperior rotator cuff tears may help predict postoperative pain and functional outcomes.

Level of evidence: Level III case-control study.