Functional outcome and health-related quality of life after surgical repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tear using a mini-open technique

Background: Rotator cuff tear, a common shoulder injury, can lead to shoulder pain and functional loss. Hypothesis: Surgical repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears using the mini-open surgical technique will improve shoulder function and health-related quality of life. Study Design: Cohort study. Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear who underwent a mini-open repair were evaluated for (1) active shoulder range of motion preoperatively, and 6 months and 12 months postoperatively and (2) health-related quality of life preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and annually up to 5 years postoperatively. Satisfaction with the repair and return to work status were ascertained 1 year postoperatively. A subgroup analysis of tear size and patient age was also undertaken. Results: Of the subjects, 61 (73 %) were men, and the average age was 53.2 (+/- 9.9) years. According to repeated-measures analysis of variance, shoulder range of motion (flexion and external rotation) improved significantly from before surgery to 1 year after surgery (P < .001). The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores improved from 53.3 (+/- 20.6) preoperatively to 90.6 (+/- 11.7) 1 year postoperatively (P < .001). The mean Western Ontario Rotator Cuff scores also improved from 43.2 (+/- 20.2) preoperatively to 87.2 (+/- 14.3) 1 year postoperatively (P < .001). No differences were seen in either the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores or Western Ontario Rotator Cuff scores between the 1-year examination and the last follow-up assessment undertaken at a median of 5 years postoperatively (P > .05). Ninety-six percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the results of their repair; 78 % of patients who were working before surgery returned to work without modification by 1 year postoperatively. For the most part, patient age and size of tear did not influence postoperative range of motion or health-related quality of life. Conclusion: Mini-open rotator cuff repair led to improved shoulder function and health-related quality of life up to 5 years postoperatively.