Preoperative Outcome Scores and Relative Improvement in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Published findings from a retrospective comparative prognostic trial by Dr. John R. Martin and colleagues revealed that high preoperative patient-reported outcome scores may be linked to less relative improvement following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) when compared to cases with low preoperative scores.

The study, based on data from 348 patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR between January 1, 2016, and February 1, 2020, with an average follow-up of 1.8 years, categorized patients into two groups based on preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores. Patients with a preoperative ASES score greater than 63 and those with a score less than 63 were analyzed separately.

The researchers identified an ASES score of 63 as the optimal cutoff value predictive of achieving substantial clinical benefit. Patients with a preoperative ASES score less than 63 were significantly more likely to achieve the minimum clinically important difference and substantial clinical benefit compared to those with a score greater than 63. Additionally, they demonstrated higher percent maximum outcome improvement and change in ASES score.

However, patients with a preoperative ASES score greater than 63 exhibited higher ASES scores at the final follow-up, increased satisfaction scores, and a greater likelihood of achieving a patient-acceptable symptom state compared to those with a score less than 63. The researchers concluded that high preoperative function should not be considered a contraindication to undergoing RCR based on the presented data.