Work

Grade III and IV glenohumeral chondral defects do not portend worse patient-reported outcomes at 2 years after rotator cuff repair

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hypothesis/Background The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at 2 years after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) in patients with grade III and IV chondral defects of the glenohumeral joint and in those without, and to report early revision to arthroplasty at 2 years. We hypothesized no difference in PROs and revision surgery at 2 years. Methods A consecutive cohort of patients undergoing RCR were prospectively enrolled and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as low-grade if they had grade 0, I, or II chondral defects and as high-grade if they had grade III or IV chondral defects determined by Outerbridge classification. PROs such as the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, the Simple Shoulder Test, the pain the Visual Analog Scale, and the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) were collected. Early revisions to arthroplasty were recorded. Results Of 1,057 patients eligible, 26 patients with high-grade defects were included. A 5:1 cohort matching was performed, resulting in a sample size of 156 patients. At two years postoperatively, ASES Function and ASES Index scores remained without significant difference, respectively ( P = .5006, P = .6127). Similarly, at 2 years postoperatively, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation ( P = .2387), Simple Shoulder Test ( P = .9653), Visual Analog Scale ( P = .3495), VR-12 Physical Component Score ( P = .4383), and VR-12 Mental Component Score ( P = .3582) scores did not differ significantly between the high-grade and low-grade groups. There were no early revisions to arthroplasty at 2 years in either cohort. Conclusion The presence of grade III and IV chondral defects do not portend a worse clinical outcome by measure of the selected PROs at 2 years after RCR.

Source: JSES International

DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.09.006

Authors: Nathan C. Sherman, Jillian L. Mazzocca, Jamie E. Collins, Samantha Perez Menendez, Elizabeth G. Matzkin

Institutions: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston University

Language: English

Topic: Shoulder Injury and Treatment

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,250