Full‐thickness rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 55 years: clinical outcome of arthroscopic repair in comparison with older patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether younger patients had a similar response to repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT) as older patients. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of prospectively collected data of patients with full-thickness RCTs. Patients were categorized into patients <55 years of age and patients 55 and older. Patient-related outcome measures of disability at 2 years following surgery were the Short Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (Short WORC), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon's (ASES) assessment form, and absolute Constant-Murley score (ACMS). RESULTS: Review of the database between 2001 and 2011 identified 344 patients (median age 62, range 24-90). Of these, 83 (24 %) patients were younger than 55 years of age (median age 48, range 24-54) and 261 (76 %) were in the older age group (median age 66, range 55-90). The median follow-up was 24 months (range 23-25). Patients in the younger age group had a higher prevalence of traumatic events (p = 0.02), had sustained more work-related injuries (p < 0.0001), and had a higher ratio of smaller tears (p = 0.0001). No difference was seen between groups with respect to post-operative scores of Short WORC, ASES, or ACMS. Pre-operative scores, having a work-related claim, increased tear size, and concomitant procedures affected the 2-year outcome scores. CONCLUSION: This study shows that younger patients with full-thickness RCTs who undergo an arthroscopic repair do as well as older individuals regardless of the measure used to document their recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective outcome study, Level II.