Tear size, general health status and smoking influence functional outcome at 5 years following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Introduction There is limited medium-term outcome data regarding the predictors of functional outcome and patient satisfaction after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods 287 patients that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair under a high-volume single surgeon were contacted at a minimum of 4 years following surgery. Patient demographics, tear size and co-morbidities were pre-operatively recorded. The Oxford shoulder score, EuroQol 5-dimensional score and patient satisfaction were recorded at final follow-up. Results 234 (81.5%) patients completed follow-up at a mean of 5.5 (4–9) years. There were 126 males and 108 females with a mean age of 60 (range 25–83) years. The majority of patients ( n = 211, 90%) were satisfied with their final outcome. Multivariate linear regression analysis ( R2 = 0.64) identified that increasing tear size ( p = 0.04), worsening general health assessed by the EuroQol 5-Dimensional ( p < 0.001), and smoking ( p = 0.049) were associated with a worse Oxford shoulder score. Logistic regression analysis ( R2 = 0.13) identified that worsening general health assessed by the EuroQol 5-Dimensional ( p < 0.001), and smoking ( p = 0.01) were associated with an increased risk of patient dissatisfaction. Conclusion General health status and smoking are independent predictors of functional outcome and patient satisfaction at medium-term follow-up following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.