Retrospective cohort study of 20 patients (23 shoulders, mean age 57 years) who underwent RTSA for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears before age 60, evaluated at a mean of 11.7 years to determine whether functional gains are durable and whether complications are manageable at long-term follow-up.
When considering RTSA in a patient under 60 with pseudoparalysis from an irreparable rotator cuff tear, this study supports offering the procedure — functional gains are real and durable past a decade — but counsel patients explicitly on a 39% complication rate and the meaningful functional penalty of advancing scapular notching.
A history of multiple prior shoulder surgeries predicts higher postoperative pain and lower patient satisfaction, not necessarily worse objective motion, so temper expectations accordingly.
Retrospective cohort study of 20 patients (23 shoulders, mean age 57 years) who underwent RTSA for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears before age 60, evaluated at a mean of 11.7 years to determine whether functional gains are durable and whether complications are manageable at long-term follow-up.
When considering RTSA in a patient under 60 with pseudoparalysis from an irreparable rotator cuff tear, this study supports offering the procedure — functional gains are real and durable past a decade — but counsel patients explicitly on a 39% complication rate and the meaningful functional penalty of advancing scapular notching.
A history of multiple prior shoulder surgeries predicts higher postoperative pain and lower patient satisfaction, not necessarily worse objective motion, so temper expectations accordingly.