Outcomes of Simultaneous Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair and Inferior Labral Repair Among Active Patients Younger Than 40 Years

Rotator cuff tears as a consequence of shoulder instability, which are uncommon among patients younger than 40 years, have been found to be more prevalent in active duty service members in this age group. As a result, this population provides a unique opportunity to study concurrent arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff and inferior labrum tears in young, active patients, a topic that has not been studied extensively. The goal of this study was to report clinical outcomes of rotator cuff and inferior labral tears managed concurrently with all-arthroscopic repair for military patients younger than 40 years. Data were collected prospectively from 30 arthroscopic rotator cuff repair procedures with concurrent inferior labral repair performed on 29 individual military patients younger than 40 years (mean, 33.5 years; range, 21–39 years) and retrospectively analyzed. Preand postoperative evaluations conducted during a minimum 2-year follow-up period (mean, 35 months; range, 24–68 months) included visual analog scale (VAS) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, and range of motion. Mean VAS score improved from 7.63±1.85 to 1.00±1.44 ( P <.0001). Mean SSV improved from 54.83±17.10 to 90.83±9.75 ( P <.0001). Mean ASES shoulder score improved from 45.37±12.99 to 90.43±10.67 ( P <.0001). No significant improvement was found in range of motion; however, improved mean measurements were consistently noted in all directions. Complications (10%; 3 of 30) included 1 re-tear of the rotator cuff repair and 2 postoperative frozen shoulders. Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears with concurrent repair of inferior labral tear in active patients younger than 40 years produced excellent patient outcomes, with high rates of return to preoperative level of recreational and military job activity and low risk of complications. [ Orthopedics . 2021;44(3):e326–e330.]