Predictors of disease-specific quality of life after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Arthroscopic Management of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Whole Rotator Cable Reconstruction Using Proximal Biceps Tendon Autograft
Published on: June 6, 2025
Arjen Kolk1, Nienke Wolterbeek1, Kiem Gie Auw Yang1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Koekoekslaan 1, PO box 2500, 3430 EM, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Purpose:
Disease-specific instruments of quality of life (QOL) are more sensitive to disease-specific changes. The purpose of this study is to identify prognostic factors for disease-specific QOL after all-arthroscopic rotator cuff (RC) repair using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC).
Methods:
A total of 140 patients were evaluated after an RC repair with a mean follow-up of 22 ± 6.7 months. Evaluations included the WORC, EQ-5D and anchor questions. Preoperative patient demographics and radiologic characteristics were assessed to identify predictors of disease-specific QOL.
Results:
Most patients (81.4 %) were satisfied with their surgical result. Minor tear retraction (odds ratio [OR] 2.97, p = 0.030), male gender (OR 3.67, p = 0.003), no social benefits (OR 3.67, p = 0.042) and pre-surgical complaints for more than six months (OR 3.03, p = 0.021) were independent predictors for superior postoperative WORC score in multivariable analysis. None of these factors were predictive for a higher EQ-5D score.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the important impact of retraction on QOL after RC repair and underline the utility of disease-specific instruments. Future studies should focus on how these significant predictors can be used to improve decision making and to develop new treatment approaches.
