Shoulder Arthroplasty: Tenotomy of the Subscapularis Tendon versus the Lesser Tuberosity Osteotomy

Objective To evaluate and compare subscapular muscle function among patients undergoing subscapular tenotomy (Group A) and lesser tuberosity osteotomy (Group B), in patients treated with total and partial anatomic shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthrosis. Methods Retrospective study of patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthrosis surgically undergoing total or partial anatomic shoulder prosthesis implant, evaluated by clinical examination, imaging exams, analogue pain scale and Constant and Murley functional score. A total of 28 patients were evaluated, totalizing a sample of 32 operated shoulders. The minimum follow-up was of 12 months (mean 47.45 months). Results Among patients submitted to subscapularis tendon tenotomy, 10 had an ultrasound with total rupture of its thickness (56%). All of the patients of the group B showed lesser tuberosity healing. There was no difference between groups comparing strength evaluated by Belly press and Bear hug tests as well as clinical outcome, through the Constant and Murley score. Conclusions We did not find differences between Groups A and B evidenciated by comparing strength in the Lift-off test, in the Belly press and Bear hug tests and through he Constant and Murley score. Resumo Objetivo Avaliar e comparar a função do músculo subescapular entre os grupos submetidos a tenotomia do subescapular (Grupo A) e osteotomia do tubérculo menor (Grupo B), em pacientes tratados por artroplastia anatômica total e parcial de ombros apresentando osteoartrose primária. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes portadores de osteoartrose primária glenoumeral tratados cirurgicamente com prótese anatômica total ou parcial de ombro, avaliados por exame clínico, exames de imagens, escala visual analógica de dor e escore funcional de Constant e Murley. Foram avaliados 28 pacientes, totalizando uma amostra de 32 ombros operados. O seguimento mínimo foi de 12 meses (média 47,45 meses). Resultados Nos pacientes submetidos à tenotomia do tendão subescapular, dez obtiveram resultado ultrassonográfico com ruptura de sua espessura total (56%). A consolidação ocorreu em todos pacientes submetidos a osteotomia do tubérculo menor. Não houve diferença entre os grupos na comparação do teste Lift Off, da força nos testes Belly Press e Bear hug, e no escore de Constant e Murley. Conclusões Não encontramos diferença entre os grupos A e B na comparação do teste Lift Off, da força nos testes Belly Press e Bear hug, e no escore de Constant e Murley.