• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness and functional results of open repair of massive rotator cuff tears combined with or without the tenoplasty of biceps long head. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to August 2004, we evaluated 18 cases of the patient treated with open repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The mean age was 56 years and mean follow-up period was 15 months. We performed open repair of massive rotator cuff tears by tendon to bone repair, but in irrepairable 4 cases for tendon to bone repair performed open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head. The functional results were assessed using the Constant score, the parameters of which were pain, dialy activity, mobility, strength and satisfaction. Results: The functional results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases. And the results of open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head were good in 2 cases and fair in 2 cases. Re-repair was done in 1 case for re-rupture. And the functional result of this case was fair. The 3 poor cases were suspected re-rupture, the factor of which old age and weakened rotator cuff. It was impossible to do re-repair. Conclusion: The open repair combined with or without tenoplasty of biceps long head is a useful and effective method for massive rotator cuff tear.