title: Prospective evaluation of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs at 5 years: part I--functional outcomes and radiographic healing rates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A rotator cuff registry was established to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of all-arthroscopic repairs. This study reports those results at 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 193 patients who underwent all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively. Outcome measurements included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, range of motion, manual muscle testing, and ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 5-years, 106 patients completed follow-up, representing 55% of the patients originally enrolled but 77% of those who returned for evaluation at 1 year. ASES scores improved from 52.6 ± 23.2 preoperatively to 92.6 ± 14.8 at 5 years (P < .001). Paired analyses showed no differences between the ASES scores at 2 and 5 years, but the scores improved from 1 to 5 years (P = .002). Between years 2 and 5, passive forward elevation decreased from 173° ± 10.3° to 168.6° ± 16.8° (P = .02) and external rotation decreased from 73.6° ± 21.3° to 67.8° ± 19.6° (P = .04). Patients improved a full motor grade in forward elevation and external rotation and this remained stable over time. The healing rates for all patients were 64.3% at 1 year, 75.4% at 2 years, and 81.2% at 5 years. Paired analyses showed increased healing rates from 1 to 5 years (P = .001) and from 2 to 5 years (P = .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The midrange results of all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs are good, and functional results remain constant over 5 years. The ultrasound healing rates continued to increase with time; however, the mechanism and the clinical significance of this are uncertain at this time.
authors: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA. GulottaL@hss.edu
authors: Lawrence V
authors: LV
authors: Gulotta
authors: Shane J
authors: SJ
authors: Nho
authors: Christopher C
authors: CC
authors: Dodson
authors: Ronald S
authors: RS
authors: Adler
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Altchek
authors: John D
authors: JD
authors: MacGillivray
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing