• PURPOSE
    • The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of patients who underwent primary arthroscopic repair for massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs).
  • METHODS
    • Patients with MRCTs (full-thickness tear of 2 or more tendons or full-thickness tear ≥5 cm) who underwent arthroscopic repair with a minimum follow-up of 2-years were retrospectively reviewed (n=51). All patients had preoperative MRIs used to characterize pattern of tear, degree of fatty degeneration (Goutallier classification), and degree of rotator cuff arthropathy (Hamada classification). Outcomes were determined by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Penn Shoulder Scores (PSS).
  • RESULTS
    • A total of 51 patients with minimum 2.3 year follow-up (mean 5.4 years, range 2.3 - 9.7 years) were included in this study. Average ASES score for pain was 46.1 ± 7.8 (95% CI: 43.9-48.3), and for function, it was 39.4 ± 12.1 (95% CI: 36.0-42.8). Total ASES score averaged 85.5 ± 18.4 (95% CI: 80.4-90.7). PSS had a mean pain score of 26.8 ± 4.4 (95% CI: 25.4-28.1), a mean satisfaction score of 7.9 ± 2.9 (95% CI: 7.0-8.2), and a mean function score of 48.5 ± 13.5 (95% CI: 44.7-52.3). Total PSS averaged 83.2 ± 19.6 (95% CI: 77.7-87.7). No correlation was found between Goutallier grade and ASES/PSS scores, and no correlation was found between Hamada grade and ASES/PSS scores. Three patients received a re-repair after primary arthroscopic repair of a MRCT (5.9%).
  • CONCLUSION
    • Patients with MRCTs who undergo primary arthroscopic repair have postoperative outcome scores indicative of good shoulder function, low pain, and high satisfaction. The rate of reoperation for individuals that underwent primary arthroscopic repair with MRCTs was low at 6%.
  • LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
    • Retrospective Case Series, IV.