Comment on “Subacromial space volume in patients with rotator cuff tear: The effect of surgical repair” by Pepe et al.

Abstract

Dear Editor, We read with interest the article by M. Pepe et al. about the effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs on subacromial space volume.1 It was stated that the group considered healthy was the contralateral side of the patients who had undergone arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tears. Physical examination findings of the contralateral shoulders were reported to be normal, but it is a known fact that patients treated for rotator cuff tears have high rates of asymptomatic tears in the contralateral shoulders.2,3 It would be more appropriate to determine the group considered as the healthy group as patients without tear on the contralateral shoulders, and accordingly, the statistical difference between the groups could be more significant. We also agree and believe that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair will contribute to preserving the subacromial volume and improve shoulder functions in the long term.