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.

Introduction and Objectives: Treatment of arthrosis secondary to massive rupture of the rotator cuff using anatomical prostheses has offered limited results. The growing use of inverted prostheses, with biomechanics completely different from anatomical prostheses, have given promising results and offer an alternative treatment for this problem as well as other functionally-similar pathologies.

Materials and Methods: This multicentre study included 25 patients with Delta III inverted prostheses (IP) from Puy®, with a minimum follow-up period ranging from 3 to 22 months. There were 23 females and 2 males in the study. Average age was 71.04 years. Pre-operative diagnoses included arthrosis secondary to massive rupture of the rotator cuff (15), prosthesis revision (4), fracture sequelae (3) and acute fracture (3). Average preoperative Constant score with secondary arthrosis was 21.

Results: Evaluation using the Constant scoring system yielded the following mean results: secondary arthrosis of less than 6 months progression: 55.75; greater than 6 months progression: 58.14; prosthetic replacement at less than 6 months of progression: 32; and fracture sequelae of more than 6 months progression: 47.66. There was one postoperative dislocation, which required corrective surgery, and one infection that required surgical cleaning.

Discussion and Conclusions: 1). Good results were achieved using inverted prostheses in the treatment of arthrosis secondary to massive rupture of the rotator cuff (average 37 point improvement in Constant score.) 2). Limited results were attained for other conditions. The most significant result was reduction in pain.