Massive rotator cuff tears are challenging to treat, with few or no studies on long-term outcomes of repair. The purpose of this study was to report 10-year outcomes following repair of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, with and without extension into the subscapularis, and to determine prognostic factors that could influence clinical scores and retear rates. The records of 234 patients who underwent repair of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear at a total of 15 centers were retrieved. A total of 130 patients (68% men) with a mean age of 56.1 ± 7.7 years were evaluated clinically, and 102 of them were also evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For the 130 shoulders evaluated clinically, the mean total Constant-Murley score improved from 53.1 ± 15.9 preoperatively to 78.5 ± 11.3 at 10 years. Of the 102 shoulders evaluated using MRI, 32 had a retear. The overall prevalence of retears was 34%. Multivariable regression analysis revealed a significant association between the 10-year Constant-Murley score and preoperative retraction of the infraspinatus tendon, but no association between retears and any of the variables. Patients who had repair of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear maintained considerable improvements in clinical and radiographic outcomes at 10 years. Partial concomitant tears of the subscapularis did not affect the total postoperative Constant-Murley scores or retear rates.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Massive rotator cuff tears are challenging to treat, with few or no studies on long-term outcomes of repair. The purpose of this study was to report 10-year outcomes following repair of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, with and without extension into the subscapularis, and to determine prognostic factors that could influence clinical scores and retear rates. The records of 234 patients who underwent repair of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear at a total of 15 centers were retrieved. A total of 130 patients (68% men) with a mean age of 56.1 ± 7.7 years were evaluated clinically, and 102 of them were also evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For the 130 shoulders evaluated clinically, the mean total Constant-Murley score improved from 53.1 ± 15.9 preoperatively to 78.5 ± 11.3 at 10 years. Of the 102 shoulders evaluated using MRI, 32 had a retear. The overall prevalence of retears was 34%. Multivariable regression analysis revealed a significant association between the 10-year Constant-Murley score and preoperative retraction of the infraspinatus tendon, but no association between retears and any of the variables. Patients who had repair of a massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tear maintained considerable improvements in clinical and radiographic outcomes at 10 years. Partial concomitant tears of the subscapularis did not affect the total postoperative Constant-Murley scores or retear rates.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.