Functional and electromyographic results after open rotator cuff repair.

Fifty-one patients treated for full-thickness rotator cuff tears were followed up an average of 4 years after surgery (range, 2-6.4 years). The shoulder function was assessed according to the Constant classification, each patient did strength measurements, and had electromyographic evaluation of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. The mean value of the Constant score for the surgically treated shoulder was 2.7 points. Forty-five patients (88.2%) had satisfactory scores and six patients (11.8%) had unsatisfactory scores. The result of treatment was significantly correlated to the size of the tear and the time elapsed from injury to surgery. However, no correlation was found between the result of the treatment and the type of surgery, mode of postoperative rehabilitation, and age. The strength measurement of abduction and of external rotation indicated significantly reduced power in surgically treated shoulders compared with contralateral shoulders. There was a significant difference of the infraspinatus motor unit potential interference pattern reduction between surgically treated and the contralateral shoulder. There was a positive correlation between electromyographic findings and the results of rotator cuff reconstruction.