Gender, ethnicity and smoking affect pain and function in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Background: This study is a collation of baseline demographic characteristics of those presenting for rotator cuff repair in New Zealand, and exploration of associations with preoperative function and pain. Data were obtained from the New Zealand Rotator Cuff Registry; a multicentre, nationwide prospective cohort of rotator cuff repairs undertaken from 1 March 2009 until 31 December 2010.

Methods: A total of 1383 patients were included in the study.

Causes of pain and loss of function in rotator cuff disease: analysis of 1383 cases.

Background: The New Zealand Rotator Cuff Registry is a multicentre, nationwide prospective study of rotator cuff repairs established in March 2009.

Methods: A total of 1383 rotator cuff repairs were included in this study, all with completed baseline Flex-SF scores, pain scores and standardized operative forms.

Results: Increasing tear size and tear retraction, over 4 cm, were associated with decreasing Flex-SF scores but not pain.