Prospective evaluation of the effect of rotator cuff integrity on the outcome of open rotator cuff repairs.
BACKGROUND
Open rotator cuff repairs have led to excellent clinical results; however, several studies have linked postoperative structural integrity to patient outcomes. The purpose of this study is to prospectively assess postoperative cuff integrity after open rotator cuff repair and assess its relationship to clinical outcome.


OBJECTIVE
Preoperative rotator cuff tear size and postoperative rotator cuff integrity are important factors in overall clinical outcomes.


METHODS
Prospective nonrandomized clinical outcomes study.


METHODS
Forty-seven consecutive patients undergoing repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears by a single surgeon were enrolled in this prospective study. A standardized evaluation was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at annual intervals. All patients underwent postoperative magnetic resonance imaging at least 1 year after surgery. Statistical evaluation was performed using paired and unpaired 2-tailed t tests for comparison.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients were available for evaluation. Overall, the patients experienced a significant (P < .05) improvement in their American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons survey (40-85) and Constant (53-80) scores. The overall retear rate was 31%. Although patients with large tears preoperatively and retears postoperatively had lower overall outcomes scores, this was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support open rotator cuff repair as an effective technique that restores excellent shoulder function. The authors did not find postoperative cuff integrity to have a significant effect on outcomes when compared with those with an intact cuff. In fact, those with a retear still had a significant improvement in all clinical areas assessed, including strength.
Klepps
Steven
S
Montana Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, Billings, Montana.
Bishop
Julie
J
Lin
Jason
J
Cahlon
Oren
O
Strauss
Alyssa
A
Hayes
Patrick
P
Flatow
Evan L
EL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome