title: The effect of rotator cuff repair on early overhead shoulder function: a study in 1600 consecutive rotator cuff repairs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rotator cuff tears are often surgically repaired, generally with good results. However, repairs not infrequently retear, and how important repair integrity is with respect to early functional outcomes after rotator cuff repair is unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a retear on overhead activities in a large cohort of patients after rotator cuff repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data from 1600 consecutive rotator cuff repairs. Outcomes were based on patient responses to the L'Insalata Shoulder Questionnaire and findings on examination preoperatively and at 6 months of follow-up. Repair integrity was determined by ultrasound imaging at the 6-month follow-up visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1600 patients (885 men, 715 women) were a mean age of 58 years. Postoperative ultrasound imaging found 13% (211 of 1600) of repairs had retorn. Significant improvements were seen irrespective of rotator cuff integrity in pain levels with overhead activity (P < .0001) and range of motion in forward flexion (P < .001) and abduction (P < .01). Patients with intact repairs had 9.5 N greater supraspinatus strength (P < .0001) and 6.9 N greater external rotation strength (P < .01) than those with a retear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this is the largest study to evaluate the effect of rotator cuff repair integrity on shoulder function. Patients who had an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair reported significant improvements in overhead pain levels irrespective of the repair integrity at 6 months. Repair integrity influenced supraspinatus and external rotation power, where patients with intact repairs were stronger than those with a retear.
authors: Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Hayden A
authors: HA
authors: Robinson
authors: Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Patrick H
authors: PH
authors: Lam
authors: Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Judie R
authors: JR
authors: Walton
authors: Orthopaedic Research Institute, St George Hospital Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: murrell.g@ori.org.au.
authors: George A C
authors: GAC
authors: Murrell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Rotator cuff; arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; overhead function; patient-reported outcomes; postoperative integrity; shoulder function