Failed Rotator Cuff Repairs: Building an International Perspective

Rotator cuff repair has become one of the most performed surgeries in an outpatient orthopedic department. It gained its reputation due to significant clinical improvement amongst patients. However, clinical outcomes proved to be different from rotator cuff healing, and expectations of both surgeons and patients may also vary due to the difference in their perception of the procedure. Failure can be defined by the patient as a worsening of the preoperative clinical status, a persistent pain, stiffness, and an inability to return to work. Whereas objectively, ultrasound and MRI are widely used to asses healing failure. This is why it is highly recommended that surgeons collect preoperative data and scores in order to obtain a better understanding and definition to the rotator cuff repair failure.