Are Lower Passive Anterior Elevation and External Rotation at 6 Weeks Postoperatively Associated With Healing of Isolated Arthroscopic Supraspinatus Repairs?

BACKGROUND

Despite advancements in surgical technique, failure of tendon healing remains a common problem after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between range of motion (ROM) recovery and healing after ARCR. It was hypothesized that an early loss of ROM would be associated with tendon healing.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

This was a retrospective comparative study of primary ARCR of isolated full-thickness supraspinatus (SSN) tendon tears. Cases were retrieved from a prospective rotator cuff repair database and divided into 2 groups based on healing (healed/nonhealed). A standardized clinical evaluation was performed before and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Collected data included passive and active ROM, visual analog scale for pain, and Constant score. Healing was assessed by ultrasound at 6 months.

RESULTS

Of 1397 eligible ARCRs, 1207 were included. The healing rate was 86.7%. Age was higher in the nonhealed group (57.8 ± 7.9 years vs 61.6 ± 8.8 years; P < .001). Patients with healed repairs had a larger decrease in passive anterior elevation (AE) from the preoperative to the 6-week postoperative visit (-31°± 28° vs -18°± 26°; P < .001), followed by a more substantial increase throughout the remaining follow-up period (32°± 23° vs 18°± 21°; P < .001). At 6 months postoperatively, there was no difference in AE between groups (159°± 17° vs 161°± 14°; P > .999). External rotation elbow at side (ER1) and internal rotation hand in the back (IR1) followed similar courses of recovery. Passive and active ROM had a strong positive correlation at each follow-up. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.45-2.23; P < .001) and 6-week passive AE (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.20-1.48; P < .001) and ER1 (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.29; P = .017) were predictors for nonhealing.

CONCLUSION

Lower passive AE and ER1 at 6 weeks postoperatively and younger age are associated with healing after ARCR of isolated SSN tendon tears. At 6 months postoperatively, there were no differences in ROM, regardless of tendon healing.