Delay to Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Is Associated With Increased Risk of Revision Rotator Cuff Surgery

Delayed hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome does not increase revision but does increase rates of chronic opiate use

Introduction

In recent years, the utilization of hip arthroscopy to treat femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) has increased due to its low complication rates, positive impact on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and association with faster rehabilitation. Despite this, there are high rates of revision and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in some of these patients. It is unclear whether time from initial FAIS diagnosis to surgery is a risk factor for poor outcomes. In this study, we examined the relationship between timing of hip arthroscopy for FAIS and rates of 2-year revision hip procedures, 2-year conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA), post-operative medical complications, and opioid prescriptions.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing the PearlDiver database. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were used to identify patients who had surgery for FAIS with minimum 2 years follow-up available. Patients were stratified by 3-month intervals into 5 groups based on time from diagnosis of FAIS to hip arthroscopy. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors independently associated with continued opiate use and subsequent surgeries.

Results

A total of 14,677 patients were included in the study. The 2-year rate of revision hip arthroscopy was 4.2%. As time from diagnosis to surgery increased, even in multivariate regression analysis, there was a higher risk of filling an opioid prescription 90 days after surgery (P < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that timing of surgery was not associated with 2-year revision hip arthroscopy or conversion to THA. Age, sex, obesity, and tobacco use were significant predictors of revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to THA (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

There is no significant difference between timing of surgery for FAIS and odds of revision or conversion to THA. Prolonged opiate use after hip arthroscopy was significantly higher as duration from initial FAIS diagnosis to surgery increased. Age, sex, obesity, and tobacco use are significant predictors for revision, conversion to THA, and continued opiate prescriptions.

Traumatic rotator cuff injury: does delayed surgery worsen functional outcomes?

PURPOSE

The optimal timing of surgery after traumatic rotator cuff tears (RCT) is unclear, with its impact on functional outcomes under debate. This study aimed to review functional outcomes after RCT repair in patients who underwent early vs delayed surgery at our unit.

METHODS

This was single-centre retrospective evaluation. Patients with an acute traumatic RCT that underwent repair between 2017 and 2019 and had local follow-up were included and placed into two groups: early surgery (within 6 months from injury) and delayed surgery (more than 6 months from injury). Patient demographics, RCT data and pre- and post-operative (after 12 months) Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) were extracted from medical records. Data was analysed to compare OSS scores between groups, as well as the effect of cuff tear sizes on OSS scores.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were included in the analysis (15 early, 34 delayed). There were no significant differences in age, sex or cuff tear sizes between groups. No difference was identified in the mean post-operative OSS between early vs delayed groups (40.9 ± 6.34 vs 40.5 ± 7.65, p = 0.86). The mean improvement in OSS after surgery was also similar between groups (22.5 ± 7.81 vs 20.97 ± 7.19, p = 0.498). Having a large or massive RCT did not worsen OSS compared to small or medium RCT (p = 0.44), even when stratified by early or delayed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Delayed surgery for traumatic RCT greater than 6 months from injury did not negatively impact long-term functional outcomes at our unit. Patients should be reassured as applicable before surgery in the event of prolonged or unavoidable delays.

Re-tear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair can be predicted using deep learning algorithm

The application of artificial intelligence technology in the medical field has become increasingly prevalent, yet there remains significant room for exploration in its deep implementation. Within the field of orthopedics, which integrates closely with AI due to its extensive data requirements, rotator cuff injuries are a commonly encountered condition in joint motion. One of the most severe complications following rotator cuff repair surgery is the recurrence of tears, which has a significant impact on both patients and healthcare professionals. To address this issue, we utilized the innovative EV-GCN algorithm to train a predictive model. We collected medical records of 1,631 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair surgery at a single center over a span of 5 years. In the end, our model successfully predicted postoperative re-tear before the surgery using 62 preoperative variables with an accuracy of 96.93%, and achieved an accuracy of 79.55% on an independent external dataset of 518 cases from other centers. This model outperforms human doctors in predicting outcomes with high accuracy. Through this methodology and research, our aim is to utilize preoperative prediction models to assist in making informed medical decisions during and after surgery, leading to improved treatment effectiveness. This research method and strategy can be applied to other medical fields, and the research findings can assist in making healthcare decisions.

Greater Socioeconomic Disadvantage as Measured by the Area Deprivation Index Is Associated With Failure of Healing Following Arthroscopic Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears but Not With Clinical Outcomes

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship between Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and preoperative status and short-term postoperative clinical outcomes among patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) of massive rotator cuff tears (MRCTs).

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on prospectively maintained data on patients who underwent ARCR of MRCTs defined as tear size ≥5 cm or complete tear of at least 2 tendons, with a minimum 2-year follow-up and a valid home address between January 2015 and December 2018. Each patient's home address was mapped to the ADI to determine neighborhood disadvantage. This composite index is composed of 17 census-based indicators, including income, education, employment, and housing quality to quantify the level of socioeconomic deprivation. Ratings were recorded and categorized based on the sample's percentile. Patients were then divided into 2 groups: upper quartile (ie, most disadvantaged [≥75th percentile]) and lower 3 quartiles (ie, least disadvantaged [<75th percentile]). Bivariate analysis was performed to associate ADI with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and range of motion pre- and postoperatively, as well as complications, healing rate, satisfaction, and return to work. Patients reaching or exceeding the minimal clinically important difference for visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Veterans Rand 12-Item questionnaire, and subjective shoulder value were recorded for both cohorts.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were eligible for study analysis. Preoperative PROs and range of motion were similar, except for a greater VAS for pain (6.3 vs 4.3; P < .01) and lower American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (32.2 vs 45.1; P = .01) in the most disadvantaged group. Both groups showed similar postoperative PROs scores, but greater VAS improvement was seen in the upper quartile group (Δ 4.2 vs Δ 3.0; P = .04). In contrast, only the least-disadvantaged group significantly improved in internal rotation (P = .01) and forward flexion (18°; P < .01) from baseline. Although satisfaction, complications, and return to work were comparable (P > .05), failure of healing occurred more frequently in the most disadvantaged group (21% vs 6%; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with MRCTs residing in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods as measured by the ADI have more pain and functional limitations before undergoing ARCR but demonstrate similar postoperative functional improvements to patients from other socioeconomic backgrounds. Failure of healing of MRCTs may be more common in disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, both groups reported similar rates of clinically important functional improvement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort comparison.

Operative management of rotator cuff tears: identifying disparities in access on a national level

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify nationwide disparities in the rates of operative management of rotator cuff tears based on race, ethnicity, insurance type, and socioeconomic status.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with a full or partial rotator cuff tear from 2006 to 2014 were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes. Bivariate analysis using chi-square tests and adjusted, multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate differences in the rates of operative vs. nonoperative management for rotator cuff tears.

RESULTS

This study included 46,167 patients. When compared with white patients, adjusted analysis showed that minority race and ethnicity were associated with lower rates of operative management for Black (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.33; P < .001), Hispanic (AOR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.45-0.52; P < .001), Asian or Pacific Islander (AOR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61-0.84; P < .001), and Native American patients (AOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.86; P = .002). In comparison to privately insured patients, our analysis also found that self-payers (AOR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.07-0.10; P < .001), Medicare beneficiaries (AOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.72-0.81; P < .001), and Medicaid beneficiaries (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.30-0.36; P < .001) had lower odds of receiving surgical intervention. Additionally, relative to those in the bottom income quartile, patients in all other quartiles experienced nominally higher rates of operative repair; these differences were statistically significant for the second quartile (AOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.16; P = .004).

CONCLUSION

There are significant nationwide disparities in the likelihood of receiving operative management for rotator cuff tear patients of differing race/ethnicity, payer status, and socioeconomic status. Further investigation is needed to fully understand and address causes of these discrepancies to optimize care pathways.

Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors Associated with the Development of Recurrent Rotator Cuff Tears

Nonoperative and operative strategies exist to manage rotator cuff pathology. Although surgical repair is successful for most patients, others may experience retear or nonhealing of the rotator cuff. Several modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors are associated with an increased retear rate. The literature shows consistency and agreement regarding many of these risk factors, most notably, patient age, tear size, and rotator cuff muscular atrophy, whereas others remain controversial. It is important that shoulder surgeons are familiar with modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors associated with retear, to better advise patients and optimize their chances of success following rotator cuff repair surgery.

Does Prehabilitation Before Surgery Affect Return to Sport in Baseball Pitchers With Partial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears?

Background

Purposeful rehabilitation before surgery (prehabilitation) has been researched and implemented in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tears. However, it is unclear whether prehabilitation would affect outcomes for baseball pitchers with partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to determine whether baseball pitchers with partial UCL tears who completed ≥4 weeks of prehabilitation (prehab group) have different return to play (RTP) outcomes than pitchers with 0 to 3 weeks of preoperative physical therapy (no prehab group). We hypothesized that pitchers in the prehab group would have similar RTP rates compared with pitchers in the no prehab group.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Baseball pitchers of all competitive levels who underwent primary UCL reconstruction (UCLR) or UCL repair between 2010 and 2019 were included. Physician chart notes, magnetic resonance images, and operative notes were screened to confirm primary UCLR or UCL repair of a partial UCL tear and to identify whether the nonoperative treatment had been attempted. Patients were contacted via RedCap for postoperative complications, reoperations, RTP, and patient-reported outcomes (Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic score, Andrews-Timmerman score, Conway-Jobe score, and satisfaction).

Results

Overall, 105 baseball pitchers (n = 55 prehab group; n = 50 no prehab group) were included and evaluated at 3.4 ± 2.5 years postoperatively. Six pitchers underwent UCL repair, and 99 pitchers underwent UCLR. All demographic characteristics were similar between groups except the prehab group received a gracilis graft more frequently (76.5% vs 51.2%; P = .038). The RTP rate (prehab [88.1%] vs no prehab [93.8%]; P = .465) was similar between groups. All other postoperative outcomes were also similar between groups, including revision rates and patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusion

Postoperative and patient-reported outcomes did not differ significantly between pitchers with partial UCL tears who performed rehabilitation before UCL surgery and pitchers who did not attempt a significant period of rehabilitation before UCL surgery. Clinicians should feel comfortable recommending rehabilitation for patients with partial UCL tears who wish to attempt a period of nonoperative treatment, as postoperative outcomes are not affected if UCL surgery is later needed.

Histological, radiological and clinical analysis of the supraspinatus tendon and muscle in rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

Macroscopic alterations of the affected rotator cuff (RC) are undoubtedly linked to microscopic changes, but they may underestimate the actual degree of the disease. Moreover, it remains unclear whether preoperative structural RC changes may alter clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Supraspinatus tendon and muscle samples were collected from 47 patients undergoing RC surgery. Tendons were evaluated histologically according to the Bonar score; fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy were quantified using a software for biomedical image analysis (ImageJ) in percentage of area affected in the observed muscle section. Preoperative shoulder ROM and pain were evaluated. Radiological muscle atrophy was evaluated with the Tangent Sign and Occupation Ratio; fatty infiltration was assessed according to the Goutallier classification. Correlations between histological, radiological and clinical outcomes were assessed. Statistics were performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement was calculated.

RESULTS

Histopathologic fatty infiltration (r = 0.007, p = 0.962), muscle atrophy (r = 0.003, p = 0.984) and the total Bonar score (r = 0.157, p = 0.292) were not correlated to preoperative shoulder pain. Muscle atrophy showed a significant but weak negative correlation with the preoperative movement of abduction (r = -0.344, p = 0.018). A significant but weak positive correlation was found between muscle atrophy and the total Bonar score (r = 0.352, p = 0.015). No correlation between histological and radiological evaluation was found for both fatty infiltration (r = 0.099, p = 0.510) and muscle atrophy (Tangent Sign: r = -0.223, p = 0.131; Occupation Ratio: r = -0.148, p = 0.319). Our histological evaluation showed a modal value of 3 (out of 3) for fatty infiltration and an equal modal value of 2 and 3 (out of 3) for muscle atrophy. In contrast, the modal value of the Goutallier score was 1 (out of 4) and 28 patients out of 47 showed a negative Tangent sign. At histology, intraobserver agreement ranged from 0.59 to 0.81 and interobserver agreement from 0.57 to 0.64. On the MRI intraobserver agreement ranged from 0.57 to 0.71 and interobserver agreement ranged from 0.53 to 0.65.

CONCLUSIONS

Microscopic muscle atrophy appeared to negatively correlate with the movement of abduction leading to functional impairment. Shoulder pain did not show any relationship with microscopic changes. Radiological evaluation of the supraspinatus muscle alterations seemed to underestimate the degree of the same abnormalities evaluated at histology.

Effect of shape and size of supraspinatus tears on rotator cuff strain distribution: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND

The impact of the size and shape of a supraspinatus tear on the strain of the intact rotator cuff and the kinematics of the shoulder is still unknown. This, however, can be relevant when deciding whether surgical reconstruction is required to prevent an increase in a tendon defect. In this study, the effect of tear width and shape on rotator cuff strain and glenohumeral kinematics was evaluated during active abduction.

METHODS

Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders with intact rotator cuffs were used in this study. We created 50% and 100% wide (full-thickness) crescent-shaped (CS) tears (n = 6) and reverse L-shaped (rLS) tears (n = 6) in the supraspinatus tendon and measured strain and kinematics during active humeral elevation until 30°.

RESULTS

Both tear shapes and sizes led to an increase in internal rotation, supraspinatus loading force, and superior translation of the humerus. For the 100% wide tear size, anterior translation was observed in the CS tear group, whereas in the rLS tear group, this translation occurred mainly in the posterior direction. Strain was higher in the infraspinatus during the first 25° of abduction in comparison with the supraspinatus tendon in both tear shape groups. An analysis of the anterior and posterior tear borders showed a higher strain concentration on the same side of the tear in the CS tear group with 50% and 100% wide tears.

CONCLUSIONS

The influence of different tear shapes on translation in the anterior-posterior direction was evident as both CS and rLS tears led to an oppositely directed translation of the humeral head. The strain analysis showed a stress-shielding effect of the infraspinatus at the beginning of abduction. Therefore, special attention must be paid to correctly identify the tear extension and adequately reconstruct the rotator cuff footprint. Moreover, the constant location of maximum strain in the CS tear group may lead to an earlier progression than in the rLS tear group.

Social determinants of health influence clinical outcomes of patients undergoing rotator cuff repair: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the collection of environmental, institutional, and intrinsic conditions that may bias access to, and utilization of, health care across an individual's lifetime. The effects of SDOH are associated with disparities in patient-reported outcomes after hip and knee arthroplasty, but its impact on rotator cuff repair (RCR) is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the influences that SDOH have on accessing appropriate orthopedic treatment, as well as its effects on patient-reported outcomes following RCR.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and guidelines outlined by the Cochrane Collaboration. A search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception until March 2022 was conducted to identify studies reporting at least 1 SDOH and its effect on access to health care, clinical outcomes, or patient-reported outcomes following RCR. The search term was created with reference to the PROGRESS-Plus framework. Methodological quality of included primary studies was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for nonrandomized studies, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-two studies (level I-IV evidence) from 18 journals across 7 countries, published between 1999 and 2022, met inclusion criteria, including 102,372 patients, 669 physical therapy (PT) clinics, and 71 orthopedic surgery practices. Multivariate analysis revealed female gender, labor-intensive occupation and worker's compensation claims, comorbidities, tobacco use, federally subsidized insurance, lower education level, racial or ethnic minority status, low-income place of residence and low-volume surgery regions, unemployment, and preoperative narcotic use contribute to delays in access to health care and/or more severe disease state on presentation. Black race patients were found to have significantly worse postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes and experienced more pain following RCR. Furthermore, Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to present to low-volume surgeons and low-volume facilities. A lower education level was shown to be an independent predictor of poor surgical and patient-reported outcomes as well as increased pain and worse patient satisfaction. Patients with federally subsidized insurance demonstrated significantly worse postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes CONCLUSIONS: The impediments created by SDOH lead to worse clinical and patient-reported outcomes following RCR including increased risk of postoperative complications, failed repair, higher rates of revision surgery, and decreased ability to return to work. Orthopedic surgeons, policy makers, and insurers should be aware of the aforementioned SDOH as markers for characteristics that may predispose to inferior outcomes following RCR.

Black Race, Hispanic Ethnicity, and Medicaid Insurance Are Associated With Lower Rates of Rotator Cuff Repair in New York State

PURPOSE

To determine the use of operative rotator cuff repair for rotator cuff pathology in New York State and analyze the racial, ethnic, and income-based disparities in receiving rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System Database of New York State was conducted to include patients with a new diagnosis of rotator cuff tear between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019, with at least 6 months of follow-up. Bivariate analysis using χ² tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine racial, ethnic, and income-based disparities in the use of surgical treatment with rotator cuff repair.

RESULTS

A total of 87,660 patients were included in the study. Of these, 36,422 patients (41.5%) underwent surgical treatment with rotator cuff repair. Multivariable analysis showed that Black race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-0.87; P < .001), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (aOR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85-0.97); P = .004), and Medicaid (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.70-0.80; P < .001), or other government insurance (aOR 0.82; 95% CI 0.78-0.86; P < .001) were independently associated with lower rates of rotator cuff repair. Male sex (aOR 1.18; 95% CI 1.14-1.22; P < .001), Asian race (aOR 1.27; 95% CI 1.00-1.62; P = .048), workers' compensation insurance (aOR 1.12; 95% CI 1.07-1.18; P < .001), and greater home ZIP code income quartile (aOR 1.19; 95% CI 1.09-1.30; P < .001) were independently associated with greater rates of operative management. Although race was an independent covariate affecting rate of rotator cuff repair, the effects of race were altered when accounting for the other covariates, suggesting that race alone does not account for the differences in rate of surgery for rotator cuff pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis of all adult patients presenting with rotator cuff tears to New York hospital systems from 2017 to 2019, we identified significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in the likelihood of rotator cuff repair surgery for patients with rotator cuff tears. These include lower rates of rotator cuff repair for those Black, Hispanic, and low-income populations as represented by Medicaid insurance and low home ZIP code income quartile.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study reports disparities in the use of rotator cuff repair for individuals with rotator cuff pathology.

Comparison of Functional Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Between Patients With Traumatic and Atraumatic Tears

Background:

The role of tear etiology in outcomes after rotator cuff repair is not well understood.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in outcomes after rotator cuff repair based on tear etiology. We hypothesized that traumatic rotator cuff tears will have greater improvements in functional outcome measures and range of motion (ROM) than atraumatic tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We conducted a chart review of 221 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; prospectively collected preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative data were evaluated. Shoulder ROM, strength, and standard shoulder physical examination findings were recorded pre- and postoperatively. Outcome measures included visual analog scale for pain, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), 10-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-10; physical and mental components), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) form.

Results:

Of the 221 patients, 73 had traumatic tears and 148 had atraumatic/degenerative tears. There were no differences in age, body mass index, or Charlson Comorbidity Index between groups. Patients in the atraumatic cohort had significantly longer duration of symptoms before presentation (18 vs 7 months; P < .01). Preoperatively, the traumatic cohort had less motion to forward flexion (mean ± SD; 138° ± 43.7° vs 152° ± 29.8°; P = .02). Postoperatively, both groups experienced significant improvements in visual analog scale and SSV scores (P < .001 each). However, only the traumatic cohort demonstrated improvements in ASES and PROMIS-10 physical component scores. Patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears had lower preoperative SSV and less motion than those with atraumatic tears, but they had greater improvements in SSV (40.6% ± 39.0% vs 29.2% ± 39.7%; P = .005) and forward flexion (21.6° ± 48.6° vs 2.3° ± 48.2°; P < .001), as well as strength in forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation (P < .001, P = .003, and P = .002, respectively).

Conclusion:

Patients with traumatic rotator cuff tears have worse preoperative symptoms and more functional deficits but experience greater improvements in ROM, strength, and perceived shoulder function than those with degenerative/atraumatic tears.

Insurance status is not a predictor of rotator cuff tear magnitude

Background

Rotator cuff tear (RCT) chronicity is an important factor in considering treatment options and outcomes for surgical repair. Many factors may contribute to delayed treatment, including timely access to care due to insurance status. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the magnitude of RCT on presentation and insurance status. We hypothesize that publicly insured patients will have a greater incidence of chronic RCTs and shoulder pathology on initial presentation.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing RCT repair at an academic tertiary care institution from 2005 to 2019. Demographic data, including age, race, sex, and insurance carrier, were collected. Insurance carriers were categorized into public (Medicare and Medicaid) or private insurance coverage. Individual magnetic resonance imagings were then reviewed by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist for supraspinatus (SS), infraspinatus (IS), subscapularis, and biceps tendon tears, as well as acromioclavicular arthritis. In addition, rotator cuff atrophy was evaluated by the scapular ratio. Univariate analysis of variance and logistic regression analyses were used to compare demographics and rotator cuff pathology between those with Medicaid and Medicare, as well as between publicly and privately insured patients.

Results

Of the 492 patients in this study, 192 had private insurance, and 300 had public insurance (Medicaid: 50 and Medicare: 250). Insurance status was not found to be associated with differences in RCTs between Medicare and Medicaid patients. Those with Medicaid or Medicare (public), presented more frequently with SS or IS atrophy (SS atrophy, P = .002; IS atrophy, P = .039) than those with private insurance. However, after adjusting for age, no significant differences in rotator cuff tendon tear or atrophy frequencies were found between insurance groups.

Conclusions

Patients with private and public insurance tend to present with similar chronicity and magnitude of RCTs. Insurance status does not appear to influence timely access to surgical care for patients with RCTs at an academic medical center.

Rotator cuff tear reaching the superior half portion of the humeral head causes shoulder abduction malfunction

PURPOSE

To examine the biomechanical properties governing posterosuperior rotator cuff (RC) tear progression and dynamic shoulder abduction function, in the absence of excess loading.

METHODS

Twelve freshly frozen cadaveric shoulders were evaluated via an established dynamic shoulder abduction stimulator. The shoulder abduction functions were primarily evaluated using subacromial contact pressure (SACP) during an abduction procedure, and subsequent middle deltoid force (MDF) under 5 conditions: (1) intact, (2) anterior 1/3 posterosuperior rotator cuff (PSRC) tear, (3) anterior 2/3 PSRC tear, (4) entire PSRC tear, and (5) global RC tear (tear involving the entire superior RC).

RESULTS

No obvious differences were observed in the peak MDF required for abduction, and in the peak SACP among the four PSRC tear statuses (49.8 ± 9.2 N, 0.39 ± 0.05 mPa [1/3 PSRC tear]; 49.3 ± 6.8 N, 0.40 ± 0.06 mPa [2/3 PSRC tear]; 51.6 ± 7.0 N, 0.44 ± 0.08 mPa [entire PSRC tear]), as well as intact statuses (48.3 ± 9.8 N, 0.40 ± 0.05 mPa). However, significant elevations in the peak MDF and peak SACP levels were observed among the four PSRC tear statuses and global RC tear (68.1 ± 9.3 N; 4.12 ± 1.50 mPa, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In the absence of excess loading, the biomechanical function of the shoulder was not impaired by a simple PSRC tear. However, once the tear size reached the half superior portion of the humeral head, the humeral head migrated to the surface of the subacromion, and this action markedly decreased shoulder abduction function.

Impacto da COVID-19 no momento de reparo do manguito rotador e método de acompanhamento pós-operatório

Objetivo O reparo do manguito rotador (RMR) é um dos procedimentos artroscópicos mais comuns. Nossa pesquisa visa quantificar o impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 sobre o RMR, especificamente em pacientes com lesões agudas e traumáticas.

Métodos Os prontuários institucionais foram consultados para identificação de pacientes submetidos ao RMR artroscópico entre 1° de março e 31 de outubro de 2019 e de 2020. Dados demográficos, pré-operatórios, perioperatórios e pós-operatórios dos pacientes foram coletados de prontuários eletrônicos. Os dados foram analisados por estatística inferencial.

Resultados Totais de 72 e de 60 pacientes foram identificados em 2019 e 2020, respectivamente. Os pacientes de 2019 apresentaram menor intervalo entre a ressonância magnética (RM) e a cirurgia (62,7 ± 70,5 dias versus 115,7 ± 151,0 dias; p = 0,01). Os exames de RM mostraram menor grau médio de retração em 2019 (2,1 ± 1,3 cm versus 2,6 ± 1,2 cm; p = 0,05), mas nenhuma diferença foi observada na extensão anteroposterior da laceração entre os anos (1,6 ± 1,0 cm versus 1,8 ± 1,0 cm; p = 0,17). Em 2019, o número de pacientes atendidos por seus cirurgiões em consultas pós-operatórias por telemedicina foi menor em comparação com 2020 (0,0% versus 10,0%; p = 0,009). Não foram observadas alterações significativas nas taxas de complicação (0,0% versus 0,0%; p > 0,999), de readmissão (0,0% versus 0,0%; p > 0,999) ou de revisão (5,6% versus 0,0%; p = 0,13).

Conclusão Não houve diferenças significativas nos dados demográficos dos pacientes ou nas principais comorbidades entre 2019 e 2020. Nossos dados sugerem que, embora o intervalo entre a RM e a cirurgia tenha sido maior em 2020 e tenha havido necessidade de consultas por telemedicina, o RMR ainda foi realizado em tempo hábil e sem alterações significativas nas complicações precoces.

Nível de Evidência III.

Clinical outcomes secondary to time to surgery for atraumatic rotator cuff tears

BACKGROUND

The time from symptom onset to surgery has been shown to impact functional outcomes after repair of traumatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs), but this temporal relationship has not yet been evaluated in patients with atraumatic, degenerative cuff tears. Furthermore, it has been shown that over time, atraumatic cuff tears tend to enlarge and become more symptomatic, retracted, and atrophic-factors that have been shown to decrease success rates after repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the time from symptom onset to surgery and postoperative outcomes in patients with atraumatic RCTs.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with degenerative, atraumatic RCTs who underwent surgery performed by 2 fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons and had at least 12 months of postoperative follow-up. These patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on the duration between symptom onset and surgery: early (<12 months) and delayed (≥12 months). The primary outcome measures included reoperation rate and failure of repair. Secondary outcomes included clinical measures of strength and range of motion and patient-reported outcome measures consisting of the Subjective Shoulder Value, visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment, and Brophy-Marx Activity Scale at last follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 143 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 78 (54.5%) underwent surgery within 1 year of symptom onset whereas 65 (45.5%) underwent surgery after at least 1 year. There were no differences between groups regarding demographic or tear characteristics. At final follow-up, there were no differences between the early- and late-surgery groups regarding retear rate (12% vs. 9%, P = .65), reoperation rate (5% vs. 3%, P = .54), postoperative range of motion in any plane (P > .05), strength in external rotation and internal rotation, visual analog scale pain score, or Subjective Shoulder Value. A greater proportion of the early group (61%) than the late group (46%) experienced improvement in supraspinatus strength of ≥1 grade on manual muscle testing (P = .02) and post hoc analysis.

CONCLUSION

Despite our knowledge of the natural history of chronic, atraumatic RCTs, delaying surgical treatment for 1 year or more does not appear to significantly impact postoperative outcomes. Thus, it is reasonable for physicians to recommend either conservative or surgical treatment depending on patient-specific factors and expectations.

Low socioeconomic status worsens access to care and outcomes for rotator cuff repair: a scoping review

Background

Poor socioeconomic status (SES) is consistently associated with poor quality of health care, particularly in the field of orthopedics. Expanding insurance coverage has created a larger patient population by specifically making health care more accessible, translating to greater demand for care in the low-SES population. The purpose of this article is to provide a scoping review of literature observing access and outcomes of rotator cuff repair surgery among low-SES populations.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of articles using PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO (May 2021) from 2010 onward. Peer-reviewed articles that recorded at least one SES measure specific to patients who underwent rotator cuff repair from the United States were included. SES measures were methodically defined as income, occupation, employment, education, and race. All data that aligned with these SES measures were extracted.

Results

Of the 1009 titles reviewed, 109 studies were screened by abstract, 23 were reviewed in full, and 7 studies met criteria for inclusion. Of the 5 studies investigating access, all 5 found disparities among postoperative physical therapy, orthopedic consult, and surgery, using Medicaid status as a proxy for income in addition to other income measures. Of the 3 studies analyzing outcomes, 2 found that low-SES patients had worse pain and function, again based on Medicaid status and other income measures. Education did not have a significant impact on outcomes, as per the 1 study that included it. No studies included measures of occupation or employment.

Conclusion

Patients of low SES face reduced access to cuff repair care and worse associated outcomes, despite federal and state government efforts to reduce health care disparity through health care reform. The small nature of this review reflects how measures of SES are often not examined in rotator cuff repair studies.

Role of Delay Between Injury and Surgery on the Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Outcomes of rotator cuff repair (RCR) are influenced by several well-described factors, but the role of delay from injury to surgery on the outcomes is not clear.

PURPOSE

To assess the role of delay to surgery on the outcomes of RCR in the literature.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review with meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. All studies assessing outcomes after RCR-either retear rates or patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)-and reporting delay to surgery were identified through June 2021 in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Inclusion criteria consisted of traumatic injuries, mean age <65 years, minimum 6-month follow-up, and assessment of retear rates with radiologic examination or reporting of PROMs. Random-effect models were used to assess outcomes, reported in odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

A total of 8118 patients were included from 33 studies, with a mean age of 59 years (range, 53-64) and mean follow-up of 3.0 years (range, 0.5-8.2), among whom 53% were male and 74% had dominant-side injury. Patients undergoing surgery >3 months after injury did not have significantly higher retear rates (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.5 to 3.1]; P = .700), lower Constant-Murley score (MD, -6.2 [95% CI, -16.4 to 4.1]; P = .240), or lower ASES score (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; MD, -12.9 [95% CI, -26.0 to -0.2]; P = .050) compared with those having surgery within 3 months. Similarly, delaying surgery for 6 months did not result in higher retear rates (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 0.8 to 3.7]; P = .190) or lower PROMs. Delaying surgery for 1 year, however, led to an increased likelihood of retear when compared with <1 year (OR, 2.9 [95% CI, 2.1 to 4.0]; P < .001), and this was similar for the 2-year cutoff (OR, 5.9 [95% CI, 1.1 to 32.1]; P = .040). It was also noted that patients with an intact cuff at follow-up had a mean 3.9 months' shorter time from injury to surgery than patients with retear (95% CI, 1.0-6.8 months; P = .009).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review with meta-analysis found that delaying rotator cuff surgery for 3 to 6 months did not lead to higher retear rates or inferior PROMs as compared with undergoing earlier surgery. However, delaying surgery for ≥1 year clearly resulted in higher retear rates after RCR. This study is limited by relying on retrospective studies, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

REGISTRATION

CRD42021240720 (PROSPERO).

Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Results in Lower Two-Year Reoperation Rates Compared With Open Rotator Cuff Repair in a Large Cross-sectional Cohort

PURPOSE

To use a large, contemporary database to perform a cross-sectional analysis of current practice trends in rotator cuff repair (RCR) for the treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT) and determine outcomes of arthroscopic and open RCR, including hospital readmissions and 2-year reoperation rates with accurate laterality tracking using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes.

METHODS

The PearlDiver Mariner dataset was used to query patients with full-thickness RCTs from 2010 to 2017. Propensity-score matching was performed to account for differences in age and comorbidities and allow for comparison between those undergoing open RCR and arthroscopic RCR. Subsequent procedures were tracked using ICD-10 codes to identify ipsilateral surgery within 2 years of index surgery. Hospital and emergency department admission within 30 days of surgery were investigated.

RESULTS

Of 534,076 patients diagnosed with full-thickness RCT, 37% underwent RCR; 73% of which were arthroscopic. From 2010 to 2017, arthroscopic RCRs increased from 65% to 80%, whereas open RCRs decreased from 35% to 20% (P < .0001). Younger patients underwent arthroscopic RCR more frequently, and patients who underwent open RCR had greater rates of 30-day emergency department (7.0%) and hospital readmission (2.0%) compared with arthroscopic RCR (6.3%, 1.0%, respectively) (P < .0001). For 24,392 patients with ICD-10 coding and 2-year follow-up, 10.4% of patients required reoperation, with the most common procedure being revision RCR, and 1.3% required conversion to arthroplasty. Open RCRs were more likely to require subsequent surgery (11.3%) compared with arthroscopic RCR (9.5%) (P < .0001). Patients aged 50 to 59 had the greatest rate of reoperation (14.0%), but no patients younger than age 40 years required reoperation, and no patients younger than age 50 years required conversion to arthroplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of arthroscopic RCR has continued to increase compared to open RCR. In this large cross-sectional analysis, arthroscopic RCR demonstrated lower 2-year reoperation rates and 30-day readmission rates compared to open RCR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, cross-sectional study.

Re-tears after rotator cuff repair: Current concepts review

Re-tear following rotator cuff repair is common and has been reported to range from between 13 and 94% despite satisfactory clinical outcomes following rotator cuff surgery. Various risk factors have been associated with an increased tear rate, including patient factors, tear and shoulder morphology, repair technique, and rehabilitation regimes. Different modes of rotator cuff failure have been described. The management of re-tear in patients following rotator cuff repair is challenging and depends on the age, functional status and requirements of the patient, and re-tear size and residual tendon length. This article aims to review the factors associated with rotator cuff re-tear. It describes which of these are associated with poor clinical outcomes, and discusses the long-term outcomes of re-tear and treatment options.