• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic repair with UU-Tension Band suture for full thickness rotator cuff tear above 4 cm sized. Materials and Methods: From January 2006 to October 2011, in 71 full thickness tears above 4 cm sized which is possible to arthroscopic repair to medial margin of greater tuberosity. The group I is 71 patients which is arthroscopic repair with UU-Tension Band suture, and the group II is 20 cases which is arthroscopic repair with simple suture. Both groups were compared with a VAS score for pain, Activity of Daily Living, UCLA score, KSS score in pre operation, 7 months, 1 year and last follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed by student t test and paired t est. Mean age was 63.2 (52~80) year old, mean follow-up was 38.4 (13~62) months. Results: The VAS scores for pain decreased from 8.1 at preoperative period to 1.6 at postoperative last follow-up period in group I (p<0.05), the score decreased from 7.6 at preoperative period to 1.8 postoperative last follow-up period in group II (p<0.05). The significant difference was not noted between two groups (p<0.05). Mean ADL scores increased from 12.5 at preoperative period to 29.0 post operative last follow-up period in group I (p<0.05), the score increased from 11.3 in pre op to 27.5 post-operative last follow-up in group II (p<0.05). The significant difference was not noted between two groups (p<0.05). The UCLA score increased from 12.9 at preoperative period to 28.7 postoperative last follow-up period in group I (p<0.05), the score increased from 13.8 at preoperative period to 30.1 postoperative last follow-up period in group II (p<0.05). The significant difference was not noted between two groups (p<0.05). In comparing of retear which was checked by MRI and ultrasound evaluated at postoperative period 7 months (mean: 27.5 weeks), the retears were 28% in the group I, and 11 shoulders out of 20 shoulders in the group II. The significant differences were noted between two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair with UU-Tension Band suture and simple suture for full thickness rotator cuff tear above 4 cm sized were not different clinical result between both groups. However, the significant differences were noted in point of failure rate between both groups.