Comorbidity effect on speed of recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Comorbidities have been shown to affect rotator cuff healing and postoperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of comorbidities on speed of recovery (SOR) and overall outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR).

We identified 627 patients who underwent primary arthroscopic RCR from 2006 to 2015. Measured motion and patient-reported outcome measures for pain and function were analyzed for preoperative, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year intervals. Subgroup analysis of overall outcome and plateau in maximum improvement was performed for diabetes, smoking, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and age.

Diabetic patients had worse pain (visual analog scale for pain) and functional outcome (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons function, Simple Shoulder Test, visual analog scale for function, and elevation) scores at 6 months and 1 year (P < .05), with an earlier plateau in recovery (6 months) for nearly all variables. Smoking had no impact on postoperative outcome scores; however, plateaus occurred earlier in smokers (6 months). Obese patients had worse American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons function score and external rotation at 1 year (P < .05) with similar plateau points. No significant differences were observed in outcomes for patients with hypercholesterolemia; however, plateaus for Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and motion occurred earlier (6 months). Outcome scores for patients older than 65 years were not significantly different from those for younger patients.

After arthroscopic RCR, SOR for pain outpaced that for function and motion. Diabetic patients had worse outcomes and earlier plateau points. Earlier plateaus were seen for smokers and for motion in patients with obesity or hypercholesterolemia. Obese patients showed lower functional scores and external rotation. Age did not significantly influence SOR.