Comparison of Surgical Outcome between Bursal and Articular Side Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear

Aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes after arthroscopic subacromial decompression and debridement in bursal and articular side partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) with depth of less than 50%. This study was based on thirty-seven PTRCT with average follow-up of 3.5 years (range: 2-6 years). There were 24 articular side tears and 13 bursal side tears. Pre-operative impingement test showed 80% pain relief in bursal side and 67% in articular side tears. All patients were assessed in terms of pain relief and functional recovery using the standard method of Research Committee of American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES). At postoperative 6 months, average pain score decreased to 1.7 from 6.2 and average ASES score increased to 79 from 38 in articular side tears, and pain scores decreased to 0.9 from 7.1 and ASES scores increased to 87 from 37 in bursal side tears. Eighty-six percent of the patients showed satisfactory results at the final follow-up. After subacromial decompression and debridement in bursal and articular side PTRCT, pain relief and functional recovery was excellent in both groups. However, the result was better in bursal side PTRCT till 6 months after operation.