Background: Partial thickness articular surface rotator cuff tears [PTRCTs] are a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. In situ repair is a surgical technique that involves repairing the torn tendon without detaching it from the bone.
The Aim of the work: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of in situ repair for PTRCTs.
Patients and Methods: A prospective observational analysis was conducted on 30 patients who underwent in situ repair for PTRCTs greater than 50% of tendon thickness. The primary outcome measure was the Constant-Murley Score [CMS]. Secondary outcome measures included range of motion, strength, and patient satisfaction.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 21.8 months [range, 12-36 months]. The mean CMS score improved significantly from 51.31 preoperatively to 81.8 post-operatively [P<0.001]. The mean range of motion improved from 140° to 163° in forward flexion [P<0.001] and from 115° to 153° in abduction [P<0.001]. The overall patient satisfaction rate was 93.3%.
Conclusion: In situ repair is a viable surgical option for the treatment of PTRCTs. It is associated with significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including pain relief, range of motion, strength, and patient satisfaction. To validate these results, it is necessary to conduct additional studies with bigger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods.