Work

Longitudinal analysis of rotator cuff repair: joint kinematics and clinical outcomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Rotator cuff repair is a common surgical procedure, but postoperative outcomes can be highly variable and postoperative repair tissue healing remains a significant clinical challenge.Furthermore, the biomechanical effects of rotator cuff repair are not fully understood.Methods: 22 participants scheduled for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were evaluated preoperatively and at 3-, 12-, and 24-months post-surgery.The following data were recorded at each time point: glenohumeral and scapulothoracic kinematics, shoulder strength, and patientreported measures of pain and function.Postoperative repair integrity was assessed via MRI at 3 months and 24 months post-surgery.Results: At 3 months post-surgery, 5 of 20 patients were identified as having a recurrent tear.An additional 4 patients had a recurrent tear at 24 months post-surgery.The center of contact of the humerus on the glenoid gradually shifted superiorly on the glenoid during the 24 month follow-up period (p<0.01).There were subtle changes in scapulothoracic upward rotation at 3 months post-surgery compared to pre-surgery (p≤0.01),but these differences did not persist at 12-or 24-months post-surgery.Compared to pre-surgery, there were significant increases in flexion and internal rotation strength at 12 months post-surgery (p<0.01), and significant increases in flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation strength at 24 months post-surgery (p<0.01).Patient-reported measures of pain and function improved significantly over the 24 month follow-up period (p<0.01).Conclusion: Surgical rotator cuff repair was associated with decreased pain and improved J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f subjective assessments of function within the first 3 months after surgery, and increased shoulder strength over 12 to 24 months post-surgery.The study also found subtle changes over time in glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic motion.Level of Evidence: Level II; Prospective Cohort Design; Treatment Study Keywords: rotator cuff, joint kinematics, strength, patient-reported outcomes Rotator cuff tears are a common musculoskeletal condition, affecting approximately 40%

Source: JSES International

DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2025.101421