Long-term Survivorship of Rotator Cuff Repairs Using Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

Background: Important differences in clinical outcomes likely exist between patients with healed and nonhealed rotator cuff repairs. The survival probability of rotator cuff repairs has not been published in a time-dependent manner up to now.Hypotheses: Recurrent tears occur more frequently in the early postoperative period. Early failures of the repair are a prognostic factor for the long-term outcome.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: A series of 107 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopically assisted mini-open repair of the rotator cuff between 1998 and 2002 were evaluated in a prospective study. Of these, 95 patients finished the study after a maximum follow-up of 11 years. The evaluation included 1 postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan as well as multiple ultrasonographies and determinations of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and then yearly with a median follow-up of 96 months.Results: The overall...