Arthroscopic Biological Augmentation With Subacromial Bursa for Bursal-Sided Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

BACKGROUND: Augmentation with subacromial bursa has not been fully established in bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs). PURPOSE: To compare the results of acromioplasty + arthroscopic debridement versus acromioplasty + augmentation with subacromial bursa for Ellman type 2 PT-RCTs involving 25% to 50% of the tendon surface area. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Included were 40 patients (mean age, 47.8 years) with Ellman type 2 PT-RCTs whose symptoms did not regress despite 3 months of nonoperative treatment. The patients underwent either acromioplasty + debridement (group A; n = 18) or acromioplasty + augmentation (group B; n = 22). Outcome scores (visual analog scale [VAS] pain score, Constant-Murley score [CMS], and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) were obtained preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed at 6 months postoperatively were used to determine the integrity and state of healing. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups A and B in preoperative VAS, CMS, or ASES scores, and patients in both groups saw significant improvement at each follow-up time point on all 3 outcome scores (P = .001 for all). Scores on all 3 outcome measures were significantly better in group B than group A at each postoperative time point (P < .05 for all). Postoperative MRI scans revealed persistent partial tears in 5 of 18 patients in group A compared with 2 of 22 patients in group B (P < .05). Conversion to full-thickness tear (3/18 patients) was seen only in group A. CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent biological augmentation of their PT-RCTs had improved outcome scores compared with those treated with acromioplasty and debridement alone.