OBJECTIVETo study the surgical techniques and results of arthroscopic treatment of bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.

METHODSFrom June 2002 to December 2007, 57 patients with bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic treatment. There were 34 male and 15 female patients, the average age was 49.7 years (25 - 71 years). Fifteen left shoulder and 34 right ones were involved. Seven cases were classified as degree I, 6 as II and 36 as III according to Ellman classification. The anterior-posterior and the supraspinatus outlet projection of the X-rays were obtained before surgery. Twenty-nine patients had been received by sonography and 36 patients had undergone MRI examinations. All the patients underwent subacromial bursectomy and acromioplasty, 13 cases underwent cuff debridement, 36 cases underwent cuff repair. Among them, 3 cases were treated by side to side suture of rotator cuff, 26 cases were treated by suture anchor, 7 cases were treated by side to side suture combined with suture anchor. UCLA scoring system was adopted before operation and at the final evaluation.

RESULTSForty-nine patients had been reviewed at least 2 years after the operation with an average of 48 months (2 to 7 years). The average score was 32.1 ± 3.8 postoperatively, and the mean pain score was 2.9 ± 1.0 vs 8.4 ± 1.7 (P = 0.000) for pre- vs. post-operation, the function score was 5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 9.1 ± 1.4 (P = 0.000), the mean forward flexion score was 4.3 ± 1.1 vs. 4.9 ± 0.2 (P = 0.000), the mean forward flexion strength was 4.0 ± 0.4 vs. 4.8 ± 0.4 (P = 0.000), the results were 16 excellent, 31 good and 2 bad. Forty-seven patients were satisfied with the operation.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopy is an effective method for the treatment of bursal-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. The key to the operation lies in bleeding control, proper acromioplasty and correct suturing method. This surgery has many advantages such as mini-invasion and rapid recovery.