Factors affecting satisfaction and shoulder function in patients with a recurrent rotator cuff tear

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Musculoskeletal research

Background:

• The prevailing notion suggests most patients achieve good outcomes after rotator cuff repair, irrespective of retear status.
• This study challenges that by investigating factors influencing outcomes in patients with recurrent rotator cuff tears.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-evaluate the common belief that rotator cuff repair integrity does not significantly impact patient outcomes.
• To identify specific factors associated with poorer outcomes in patients experiencing a retear after rotator cuff repair.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 180 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair.
• Utilized surveys for patient-reported outcomes (satisfaction, function) and ultrasonography for retear assessment.
• Analyzed outcomes based on age categories, retear status, and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Twenty-six percent of patients experienced a retear, showing significantly poorer satisfaction and function scores compared to those without retears.
• Within the retear group, older patients reported better outcomes; younger age, lower education, and Workers' Compensation claims predicted worse scores.
• Lower education level and Workers' Compensation claims were independent predictors of poorer satisfaction and ASES scores in retear patients.

Conclusions:

• Rotator cuff retears negatively impact clinical outcomes, refuting the idea that repair integrity is inconsequential.
• Non-anatomic factors such as younger age, lower education, and Workers' Compensation claims are linked to inferior outcomes in patients with retears.