Previous rotator cuff repair is associated with inferior clinical outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: Although recent evidence suggests that any prior shoulder surgery may cause inferior shoulder arthroplasty outcomes, there is no consensus on whether previous rotator cuff repair (RCR) is associated with inferior outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Purpose: To retrospectively compare outcomes in patients who underwent RTSA with and without previous RCR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with prior RCR and those without previous shoulder surgery (control) who underwent RTSA for cuff tear arthropathy or irreparable cuff tear were retrospectively identified from a prospective database. Exclusion criteria included revision arthroplasty, fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, dislocations, infection, prior non-RCR procedures, less than 12 months of follow-up, and latissimus dorsi tendon transfer. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, ASES Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and range of motion (ROM) were compared between groups. Results: Patients with previous RCR (n = 83 shoulders) were younger (mean ± SD, 67 ± 10 vs 72 ± 8 years; P