Do Patient Age and Sex Influence Tendon Cell Biology and Clinical/Radiographic Outcomes After Rotator Cuff Repair?

Background:Many clinical and radiographic studies suggest that patient age and sex have an influence on rotator cuff (RC) repair outcomes. However, these findings result from retrospective statistical analyses and cannot provide a causal answer.Purpose:To analyze whether age and sex influence the biological potential at the time of RC repair or midterm clinical and radiographic outcomes. Also assessed was the effect of the biological potential on intraindividual clinical/radiographic results.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 40 patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair. At the time of surgery (t = 0), supraspinatus tendon biopsy specimens were obtained, cultivated, and assessed for their biological potential, particularly (1) cell growth and (2) collagen type I production. After a follow-up at 24 months (t = 1), all patients were assessed by clinical scores (Constant score, subjective shoulder value, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score, and Western Ontario Ro...