Clinical effects of open small incision acromioplasty of the shoulder joint and rotator cuff repair in the treatment of rotator cuff injury in middle-aged and elderly people

FU Jian-hui; QI Zhi-yuan; MENG Wei-ming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2026.02.005

Abstract：Objective To analyse the clinical effects of open small incision acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair in the treatment of rotator cuff injury in middle-aged and elderly people.Methods The relevant data of 100 middle-aged and elderly patients with rotator cuff injury admitted to Orthopaedic Department of Zhuozhou Hospital from February 2021 to February 2024 were reviewed.All were grouped according to different surgical methods.50 patients with open small incision acromoplasty and intraoperative rotator cuff suture were listed in the observation group.50 patients with conventional arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were listed in the control group.Postoperative shoulder function,acromion morphological parameters,complications,etc.were compared between the two groups.Results Surgical operation time:observation group(75.28±8.82)minutes vs.control group(89.96±9.27)minutes(t=8.112,P<0.05),with statistically significant difference.Treatment costs:observation group(14 200 yuan)vs.control group(19 600 yuan)(t=4.969,P<0.05),with statistically significant difference.Intraoperative blood loss:observation group(31.48±5.28 ml)vs.control group(19.97±5.36 ml)(t=10.817,P<0.05),with statistically significant difference.Hospitalization duration:observation group(5.78±1.67)days vs.control group(6.01±1.82)days(t=0.658,P>0.05),with no statistically significant difference.Rotator cuff healing time:observation group(68.82±9.68)days vs.control group(70.01±9.74)days(t=0.613,P>0.05),with no statistically significant difference.Joint function scores at 1,3,and 6 months post-surgery:observation group(62.82±4.16),(78.84±5.27),(92.20±2.48);control group(63.19±4.20),(77.98±5.30),(91.82±2.50)(t=0.443,0.814,0.763;P>0.05),with no statistically significant difference.Postoperative joint pain severity at 1,3,and 6 months:observation group scored(6.20±1.18),(3.12±1.01),and(1.16±0.48),while the control group scored(6.16±1.24),(3.08±1.05),and(1.21±0.51)(t=0.165,0.194,0.505;P>0.05),showing no statistically significant difference.Shoulder joint flexion,abduction,and external rotation angles at 3 months post-surgery:observation group was measured(148.84±13.06),(151.20±15.36),and(52.18±5.36)degrees,while the control group(145.70±15.16),(149.74±16.70),and(51.74±4.98)degrees(t=1.110,0.455,0.974;P>0.05).Shoulder acromion head center-edge angles(ACEA),acromion thickness(AT),and acromioclavicular distance(AHD)were measured(17.18±2.52),(38.78±3.28),(7.06±0.47),and(8.38±1.01)mm for the observation group,while(18.30±2.63),(36.01±3.32),(7.68±0.50),and(7.68±1.02)mm for the control group(t=2.174,6.389,4.197,3.448;P<0.05),demonstrating statistically significant differences.Complication rate:2%in the observation group and 6%in the control group(χ2=0.260,P=0.610),with no significant differences.Conclusions Both open small-incision acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair can improve the shoulder joint function and relieve the degree of joint pain in middle-aged and elderly patients with rotator cuff injuries.However,the small-incision surgical operation time is shorter,the cost of treatment is lower,and the shape of the acromion is significantly improved after surgery.