Evaluate and compare the results of conservative management versus arthroscopic subacromial decompression in symptomatic partial rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the results of conservative management versus arthroscopic subacromial decompression in symptomatic partial rotator cuff tears. Materials and Methods: From August 2018 to February 2021, 30 patients with partial rotator cuff tears were included in the study who underwent either conservative management by physical rehabilitation and steroid injections or arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASAD) by random allocation. The outcome measure of this study was done on the basis of comparison of the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and the range of motion (ROM in degrees) on presentation, and at different time intervals (2 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks) after the intervention. Results: The follow-up period in both groups was at least 6 months. The proportion of patients with improvements of OSS, SST, and ROM at different time intervals of the patients treated with ASAD were higher than that of the patients treated conservatively and it was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study concluded that there was a clinically relevant benefit of performing subacromial decompression over conservative management in patients with partial rotator cuff tears.

Keywords

• arthroscopy
• partial rotator cuff tear
• steroid
• subacromial decompression
• subacromial impingement syndrome