Mid-term results and quantitative comparison of postoperative shoulder function in traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears

Introduction. The objective of this study was to compare the postoperative range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction after surgical reconstruction of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears. Materials and methods. The cases of 46 consecutive patients who underwent the same standardised surgical reconstruction and postoperative rehabilitation protocol between 1993 and 1998 were reviewed. Traumatic (group I, n=20, average age 34.2 years, range 15-49 years) and non-traumatic tears (group II, n=26, average age 54.1 years, range 50-68 years) formed the two study groups. Mean follow-up lasted 47.1 months (range 13-105 months) in group I and 41.4 months (range 11-94 months) in group II. Assessment included postoperative shoulder function with Constant and Murley's score and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results. Significantly (p=0.0019) better results were observed in group I with an average of 94.1 points for Constant's score, compared with 75.3 points in group II. Postoperative shoulder function was not affected regarding full-thickness or partial tears (p=0.239) in group I. VAS revealed an excellent or good result in all patients of group I (n=20) and 50% of group II (n=13/26). Quantitative comparison of postoperative ROM demonstrated significantly better results in forward flexion (p=0.013), abduction (p=0.0019) and external rotation (p=0.0042) for group I. The remaining postoperative external rotation deficit for group II with a loss of 31% compared with group I (38.9degrees vs 56.6degrees) was statistically and clinically relevant. Conclusion. The results demonstrate that surgical reconstruction of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears is a successful procedure. Comparison of both groups revealed significantly better postoperative results in the younger, traumatic collective.