Clinical and radiological outcomes in arthroscopic repair of shoulder rotator interval lesions

Abstract

Objective: rotator interval lesion (RIL) is a distinct rotator cuff (RC) injury patern consisting of subscapularis and supraspinatus tear with biceps problem. This pathology is an underdiagnosed RC entitiy and not studied in-depth. Aim of this study is to report the functional and radiological results of RIL surgeries performed. Methods: surgeries performed in a single center, in a 7-year-period were retrospectively reviewed. Sixteen cases (n=16) who underwent ar throscopic RC repair including subscapularis with biceps tenodesis or tenotomy were called for an up-to-date assessment. Fourteen shoulders of 13 patients (3 females, 10 males) were included. Constant, disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH), standardized shoulder assessment form (ASES) scores, and RC thickness measurements with magnetic resonance imaging (MR1) were recorded. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared. Results: average age of the patients were 60.6 (47-74), and follow-up period was 3.2 +/- 1.9 years. Average preoperative Constant, DASH and AS ES scores were 44.43 +/- 15.4, 22.11 +/- 17.21 and 51.37 +/- 27.6, respectively. Postoperative values improved to 90.45 +/- 6.44, 6 +/- 13.68 and 95.82 +/- 7.82, respectively (p<0.05). Average subscapularis and supraspinatus thicknesses measured with MRI were 3.85 +/- 0.87 and 4.60 +/- 0.65 mm respectively. MRI revealed subscapularis tendinitis in 1 patient. Re-tear was not observed in any patients. Conclusion: arthroscopic subscapularis and supraspinatus repair with biceps tenodesis or tenotomy is an effective treatment method in RIL. No retear was observed with MRI. Clinical results arc similar with other RC pathologies.