Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Damage of the supraspinatus tendon (SST) is frequent in persons over 50 years of age. The aim of our study is to assess the degree of satisfaction and shoulder functionality after suture of the SST during open surgery by means of a 11–13 year follow-up.
Materials and Methods: Between 1995 and 1997 in our center, by means of open surgery, 45 SST sutures were performed (< 4 cm) with associated acromioplasty. At a minimum of 11 years follow-up we assessed the degree of patient satisfaction and performed the Constant test and the Jobe test.
Results: We studied 36 shoulders belonging to 33 patients (6 were lost to follow-up and 3 died). There were 21 women (63.6%) and 12 men (36.4%) in the series. Mean age was 52.3 years (31–64) and the affected shoulder was on the dominant side in 82% of cases (3 were bilateral). Of the 33 patients (36 shoulders) we obtained 21 very good scores (58.3%), 11 good (30.5%), 3 regular (8.3%) and 1 poor (2.7%). Using Constat’s test we obtained a mean score of 74.7 at the end of the process (pain 12.6, activity 18.1, mobility 36.9 and strength 7). We also used the Jobe supraspinatus test to assess patients and obtained negative results in 22 cases (61.1%), positive results in 8 cases (30.5%) and no results in 3 cases (8.3%).
Discussion and Conclusions: We were able to see both clinical improvement (subjective and Constant test) and strength in the supraspinatus tendon (Jobe) in 91.7% of cases at 11–13 years of follow-up.
The abstracts were prepared by E. Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán, Editor-in-Chief of the Spanish Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (Revista Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología). Correspondence should be addressed to him at: Sociedad Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, calle Fernández de los Ríos 108, 28015-Madrid, Spain
