Arthroscopic Management of Bursal Sided Rotator Cuff Tears, In Situ Repair vs Conversion

Abstract

Abstract Background and Rational: Rotator cuff tears are a common source of pain and dysfunction in various groups of age and occupation. The tear can either be complete or partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs). PTRCTs involving <50% of the thickness have been managed arthroscopically by debridement alone without acromioplasty. While massive PTRCTs involving more than 50% were repaired either arthroscopically by convergence to full thickness tears then tendon repair or in situ repair. There is no widely accepted technique in repairing Bursal sided PTRCTs. This study is to conduct a systematic review to compare the results of two of the most commonly used surgeries for management of bursal side rotator cuff tears, repair in situ vs tear completion then repair, as the search for the optimal surgery is crucial to improve long term outcomes, decrease side effects and costs and enhance patient quality of life.