Re-tear following rotator cuff repair: Do functional outcomes predict success?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare functional outcomes between patients who were found to have a retear on ultrasound versus those with an intact repair following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study comparing functional outcomes of 84 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and were found to have a retear versus those who did not experience a retear. Functional outcomes included American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Simple Shoulder Test, strength and active range of motion (AROM) assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months.

Results: Patients without a retear by 6 months demonstrated greater improvements in internal rotation at 3 months (2.3° of mean change, = 0.0356), as well as greater improvements in external rotation range of motion (8.8° of mean change, = 0.0210) between 3 and 6 months as compared to those patients who did experience a retear. Both groups showed decreased pain scores and increased ASES scores at all points postoperatively.

Conclusions: Our study found statistically significant improvements in internal rotation at 3 months, and external rotation between 3 and 6 months in the non-retear group. No differences in functional outcomes existed between at final follow-up.