Clinical and Radiology Comparison of Arthroscopy-Aided Mini Open and Arthroscopic Repair Methods for Rotator Cuff Tears

OBJECTIVE: We aimed clinical and radiologic comparison of arthroscopy assisted mini open and arthroscopic repair methods for rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients between 2014 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed; divided into 2 groups; 15 patients (group 1- mini open) and 25 (group 2 - arthroscopic). Age, gender, surgical intervention, pre and post surgical examination findings, Constant Murley, UCLA scores, radiological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 57.4 for group 1 and 53.1 for group 2. Mean UCLA score improved to 32.46 postoperatively from 10.93 for group 1 and to 1.12 from 31.16 postoperatvely for group 2. Mean Constant Murley score improved to 88.13 postoperatively from 31,6 for group 1 and to 87.48 postoperatively from 31 for group 2. Radiological classification by Thomazeau showed 11 patients grade 1, 25 grade 2 and 4 grade 3. There was no increase in fatty degeneration in patients with intact tendon, but increase in 3 with tears. Postoperative physical examination, radiological and subjective evaluation showed significant improvement in both groups (p <0,0001). In comparison of groups, p was 0.356 for UCLA and 0.94 for Constant Murley. There was no significant difference for physical examination, radiological and subjective data between groups. CONCLUSION: Both arthroscopy assisted mini-open and arthroscopic methods were clinically and radiologically successful for rotator cuff repair There was no significant difference in pain, functional capacity, range of motion, strength scores and satisfaction rates between groups. These results suggest that both approaches may be appropriate for orthopedists with necessary experience