Do partial rotator cuff tears cause humeral migration?

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Aim: This study aims to analyze the effect of symptomatic partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears on humeral migration. The hypothesis of the study was that superior humeral migration varies according to the type of rotator cuff tear. Methods: 80 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Humerus migration directions and distances of patients in the isolated Bankart lesion (Group 1), bursal-side partial (Group 2), articular-side partial (Group 3), and full-thickness rotator cuff tear (Group 4) groups whose diagnosis was confirmed by shoulder arthroscopic intervention MRI were recorded and evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups according to age (p=0.295). Migration distance values of isolated Bankart lesions (Group 1) were significantly lower in men (p<0.005). While superior migration rates were significantly increased in full-thickness tears, they were similar in partial tears (p<0.005). The mean migration distance was similar between groups (p=0.153). Conclusion: Symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears lead to humeral migration. Superior humeral migration was not found to be significant in partial rotator cuff tears, regardless of bursal or articular.