Rotator cuff repair in a district hospital setting: outcomes and analysis of prognostic factors

In a prospective study of 58 complete rotator cuff tears, 54 patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon for chronic, symptomatic, full-thickness rotator cuff defects. An independent observer performed the evaluation. Fifty-two of 58 patients reported marked relief of pain and rated themselves as having mild or no deficit in their ability to perform daily activities. The study evaluated preoperative and intraoperative factors that influenced postoperative outcome. Eighty-three percent of patients had good or excellent results according to the modified Constant scoring system and 76% with the UCLA system. There was no pain or minimal pain in 90%, and 92% reported overall improvement after the surgery. It is concluded that in a patient with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, pain and shoulder function can be improved by acromioplasty and cuff repair, but a slight decrease in the range of motion and muscle strength will probably remain.