The principal study objective was to compare clinical results for arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear and acromioplasty-tenotomy in patients aged over 60 years.

Repair provides better clinical results than isolated acromioplasty-tenotomy. Shoulder function is improved when healing is obtained.

One hundred and forty-two patients aged over 60 years (mean age, 67 years) presenting with reparable supraspinatus tear, extending to a greater or lesser degree to the infraspinatus, agreed to take part in a randomized prospective study. Fifteen were excluded from statistical analysis. All underwent acromioplasty and biceps tenotomy. They were randomly assigned to arthroscopic rotator-cuff repair (CR group) or not (AT group). The principal evaluation criterion was mean weighted Constant score at one year’s follow-up. Healing in the CR group was assessed on ultrasound at one year.

The complications rate was 7.9%. Mean weighted Constant score was significantly better in group CR: 75.8%, versus 68.8% in AT. In the CR group, the 1-year healing rate was 67.6%. Healing significantly impacted mean weighted Constant score: 80% with healing, versus 66.9% in iterative tearing. Whatever the size of the tear, mean weighted Constant score was significantly better in patients with than without (no repair or iterative tear) tendon healing.

The study demonstrated the interest of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients aged over 60 years. The benefit of repair compared to isolated acromioplasty-tenotomy depended on tendon healing.

Randomized prospective study, level II.