The clinical outcomes of infraspinatus rotational transfer for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears: a preliminary report

Abstract

Background This study aimed to examine the preliminary clinical results of the infraspinatus rotational transfer procedure for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Methods This study included 34 patients (mean age, 68.4 years). Their mean tear width and length measurements were 50.9 mm and 50.6 mm, respectively. The functional outcomes, including physician-determined and patient-reported scores, were evaluated before and at 1 year after surgery. The structural outcomes determined using the magnetic resonance imaging examination results were also assessed. Results The clinical scores significantly improved after surgery compared with the scores before surgery: the Constant-Murley score (53.3±21.1 to 76.8±10.5), University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder score (15.6±3.6 to 27.8±6.7), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (51.8±18.3 to 89.1±13.5), and WORC score (925.0±436.8 to 480.3±373.2) (all p<0.001). Postoperative re-tears were noted in two patients (5.9%). Conclusions One year postoperatively, the patient’s clinical scores significantly improved, with a re-tear rate of 5.9%.

Keywords

• shoulder
• rotator cuff tear
• treatment outcome