What Happens to Patients when We Don't Repair Their Cuff Tears? 5-Year Rotator Cuff Quality of Life Index (RC-QOL) Outcomes Following Non-Operative Treatment of Patients with Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

The purpose of this study was to examine five-year outcomes of patients previously enrolled in a non-operative rotator cuff study.Patients with chronic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears (demonstrated on imaging) who were referred to one of two senior shoulder surgeons were enrolled in the study between October 2008 and September 2010. Patients participated in a comprehensive non-operative, home-based treatment program. After three months patients were defined as “successful” or “failed”. “Successful” patients were essentially asymptomatic and did not require surgery. “Failed” patients were symptomatic and consented to surgical repair. All patients were followed up at one year, two years, and five-plus years.Original results of our study showed that 75% of patients were treated successfully with non-operative treatment, while 25% went on to surgery. These numbers were maintained at two-year follow-up (previously reported) and five-year follow-up. At five+ years, 88 patients were contacted for follow-up. F...