Comparison of Partial Versus Complete Arthroscopic Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: Complete repair of massive rotator cuff tears can be limited by tendon retraction and poor tissue quality. When a complete repair cannot be accomplished, a significant partial repair may be possible.Hypothesis: A partial repair will yield comparable outcomes to complete repair of massive rotator cuff tears in this specific patient population.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: All consecutive arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs done at the authors’ institution over a 2-year period were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed. Inclusion criteria required that each patient have a massive rotator cuff tear (30 cm2 or greater). Patients were categorized as either partial or complete repair. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scores were used to measure patient outcomes at an average follow-up of 24 months (10-40 months).Results: Of 1128 consecutive arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, 97 (9%) patients were noted intraoperatively to have massi...