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Table 3 Definition of irreparable rotator cuff tears in prospective surgical therapeutic trials

From: Definition of irreparable rotator cuff tear: a scoping review of prospective surgical therapeutic trials to evaluate current practice

Classification

Characteristics

Detail

Number of articles

Reference

Symptoms

Duration of symptoms

≥ 6 months

13

[38, 43, 44, 46,47,48, 51, 56, 60, 63, 69, 70, 72]

 

≥ 3 months

2

[50, 54]

 

Pseudoparalysis

1

[73]

Images

Tendon retraction

Retraction ≥ 5 cm

9

[36, 37, 43, 46, 50, 56, 70, 72, 76]

Retraction ≥ 3 cm

5

[51, 60, 63, 68, 71]

≥ Patte grade 3

6

[40, 45, 48, 53, 61, 67]

≥ Patte grade 2

2

[39, 42]

Fatty infiltration

≥ Goutallier grade 3 (or infiltration ≥ 50%)

11

[39, 40, 45, 51,52,53,54, 60, 61, 63, 67]

≥ Goutallier grade 2 (or ≥ Fuchs grade 2)

5

[41, 42, 48, 58, 73]

Goutallier grade 1–3

1

[70]

Goutallier grade 4

2

[56, 66]

Ruptured tendon number or width of the defect in sagittal plain

≥ 2 tendons

12

[36, 37, 41, 42, 46, 48, 50, 58, 67, 68, 70, 76]

Anterior to posterior defect ≥ 5 cm

1

[39]

Anterior to posterior defect ≥ 3 cm

3

[51, 60, 63]

≥ Bayne and Bateman grade 3

1

[40]

Muscle atrophy

≥ Thomazeau grade 3

2

[39, 53]

 

Positive tangent sign

1

[54]

Other – Defect area

Davidson group 3

1

[42]

Other – AH interval

≤ 6 mm AHD

1

[52]

Intraoperative finding

Irreparable after mobilization

Act as final conform

18

[36, 37, 40, 43, 46, 47, 50, 52, 53, 55, 59,60,61, 68,69,70, 75, 76]

 

Part of the criteria

5

[54, 58, 63, 67, 72]

Poor tendon quality

Part of the criteria

1

[39]

  1. AHD, acromial humeral distance