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, p = 0.0356), as well as greater improvements in external rotation range of motion (8.8° of mean change, p = 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.