CLINICAL RISULTS OF ARTHOSCOPIC REPAIR OF ROTATOR CUFF TEARS ASSOCIATED WITH TYPE 2 SLAP LESIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Aims: We reviewed our experience to determine the results of arthroscopic repair in patients over 50 with rotator cuff tears and Type II SLAP lesion in whom the repair was effected repairing the two lesions, or repairing the rotator cuff tears and performing a tenotomy of the long head of the biceps. Methods: We recruited 121 patients older than 50 years in whom a symptomatic rotator cuff tear had failed non-surgical management and was affecting daily activities. We assigned them retrospectively to one of the two groups: Group 1 underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff and repair of the type II SLAP lesion. Group 2 underwent arthoscopic repair of the rotator cuff tear and a tenotomy of the long head of the biceps. Results: There was statistically significant difference in total postoperative UCLA scores and ROM when comparing the two groups postoperatively (P Conclusions: We compared the clinical outcome of patients over 50 affected by the association of rotator cuff tears and Type II SLAP lesion, in whom both the defects were repaired, or the rotator cuff tear was repaired and the long head of the biceps tendon was tenotomized. In our hands, the association of rotator cuff repair and biceps tenotomy provides better clinical outcome compared with the association of Type II SLAP lesion repair and rotator cuff repair at three years of follow-up.