This study reports the clinical and sonographic
outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients aged ≥ 70 years
and aimed to determine factors associated with re-tear. A total
of 69 consecutive repairs were performed in 68 patients with a mean
age of 77 years (70 to 86). Constant-Murley scores were collected
pre-operatively and at one year post-operatively. The integrity
of the repair was assessed using ultrasound. Re-tear was detected
in 20 of 62 patients (32%) assessed with ultrasound. Age at operation We conclude that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients
aged ≥ 70 years is a successful procedure. The gender and age of
the patient are important factors to consider when planning management. Cite this article:
We have studied cellular and vascular changes in different stages of full thickness tears of the rotator cuff. We examined biopsies from the supraspinatus tendon in 40 patients with chronic rotator cuff tears who were undergoing surgery and compared them with biopsies from four uninjured subscapularis tendons. Morphological and immunocytochemical methods using monoclonal antibodies directed against leucocytes, macrophages, mast cells, proliferative and vascular markers were used. Histological changes indicative of repair and inflammation were most evident in small sized rotator cuff tears with increased fibroblast cellularity and intimal hyperplasia, together with increased expression of leucocyte and vascular markers. These reparative and inflammatory changes diminished as the size of the rotator cuff tear increased. Marked oedema and degeneration was seen in large and massive tears, which more often showed chondroid metaplasia and amyloid deposition. There was no association between the age of the patient and the
