Arthroscopic Superior Capsule Reconstruction Can Eliminate Pseudoparalysis in Patients With Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears.

BACKGROUND: Patients with pseudoparalysis and irreparable rotator cuff tears have very poor function. The authors developed a superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) technique for irreparable rotator cuff tears that restores shoulder stability and muscle balance, improving shoulder function and relieving pain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether arthroscopic SCR reversed preoperative pseudoparalysis in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic SCR with fascia lata autografts; 7 patients with deltoid weakness from cervical or axillary nerve palsy and 5 with severe presurgical shoulder stiffness were excluded. The remaining 88 were allocated to 3 groups according to their preoperative active shoulder elevation: no pseudoparalysis (45 patients; mean age, 66.2 years; mean tear size, 3.5 cm), moderate pseudoparalysis (28 patients, 68.3 years, 3.5 cm), and severe pseudoparalysis (15 patients, 62.3 years, 4.9 cm). Clinical outcome, active shoulder range of motion, acromiohumeral distance, and healing rate were compared between patients with and without pseudoparalysis, as well as before surgery and at final follow-up (35-110 months).

RESULTS: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, active elevation, active external rotation, and acromiohumeral distance increased significantly after arthroscopic SCR among all patients. Graft healing rates did not differ among the groups ( P = .73): 98% (44 of 45) for no pseudoparalysis, 96% (27 of 28) for moderate pseudoparalysis, and 87% (13 of 15) for severe pseudoparalysis. Pseudoparalysis was reversed in 96% (27 of 28) of patients with preoperative moderate pseudoparalysis and 93% (14 of 15) with preoperative severe pseudoparalysis. Both patients with residual pseudoparalysis postoperatively (1 of 28 with preoperative moderate pseudoparalysis, 1 of 15 with preoperative severe pseudoparalysis) had graft tears.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic SCR restored superior glenohumeral stability and improved shoulder function among patients with or without pseudoparalysis who had previously irreparable rotator cuff tears. In the absence of postoperative graft tear, arthroscopic SCR reversed preoperative pseudoparalysis. Graft healing rates after arthroscopic SCR did not differ between patients with and without pseudoparalysis.