title: Full-thickness rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 55 years: clinical outcome of arthroscopic repair in comparison with older patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine whether younger patients had a similar response to repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT) as older patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary analysis was conducted of prospectively collected data of patients with full-thickness RCTs. Patients were categorized into patients <55 years of age and patients 55 and older. Patient-related outcome measures of disability at 2 years following surgery were the Short Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (Short WORC), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon's (ASES) assessment form, and absolute Constant-Murley score (ACMS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Review of the database between 2001 and 2011 identified 344 patients (median age 62, range 24-90). Of these, 83 (24 %) patients were younger than 55 years of age (median age 48, range 24-54) and 261 (76 %) were in the older age group (median age 66, range 55-90). The median follow-up was 24 months (range 23-25). Patients in the younger age group had a higher prevalence of traumatic events (p = 0.02), had sustained more work-related injuries (p < 0.0001), and had a higher ratio of smaller tears (p = 0.0001). No difference was seen between groups with respect to post-operative scores of Short WORC, ASES, or ACMS. Pre-operative scores, having a work-related claim, increased tear size, and concomitant procedures affected the 2-year outcome scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that younger patients with full-thickness RCTs who undergo an arthroscopic repair do as well as older individuals regardless of the measure used to document their recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective outcome study, Level II.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Toronto, Canada, drtimdwyer@yahoo.com.au.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Razmjou
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holtby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult