J Korean Shoulder Elbow Soc.  2008 Dec;11(2):96-103.

MRI Follow-up Study After Arthroscopic Repair of Multiple Rotator Cuff Tendons

• Tae SK
• Kim JY
• Park JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study investigated the rate of retear and related factors after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears involving more than one tendon. MATERIALS & METHODS: Arthroscopic repair of 22 rotator cuff tears (average size 3.2cm: average age 58 years old) involving the supraspinatus and part or all of the infraspinatus were investigated using MRI on average 10 months after repair. The status of the repaired cuff was investigated using Sugaya's classification, and the change in muscle was evaluated with Goutallier's classification.
RESULTS
Retear (Sugaya grade IV, V) was found in 7cases(32%). Tears larger than 3cm had a higher retear rate(67%) than smaller tears(8%). Retear cases had Goutallier grade II or higher muscle changes preoperatively and showed aggravation of muscle atrophy postoperatively. Even without retear, reversal of muscle change was not seen
CONCLUSION
Rotator cuff tears not confined to the supraspinatus had a 32% retear rate after arthroscopic repair. The size of the tear was the most crucial factor influencing retear. Retear was frequent in tear over 3cm. Atrophy of the cuff muscle worsened when the repair failed but did not improve even without retear.

Keyword

Rotator cuff; Arthroscopic repair; Retear; MRI

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Follow-Up Studies
Muscles
Muscular Atrophy
Rotator Cuff
Tendons