Understanding Outcomes and the Ability to Return to Work After Rotator Cuff Repair in the Workers' Compensation Population

Introduction Patients with a worker compensation claim are associated with a greater probability of continued symptoms and activity intolerance. This study aims to determine predictors of improved patient-reported outcomes in the workers’ compensation population. Methods Patients with workers’ compensation claims undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2010 and 2015 were included. Age, gender, dominant hand, occupation, and number of tendons involved were analyzed. At a minimum of two years, patients were contacted to complete American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Survey, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and return-to-work status (RTW). Preoperative characteristics and scores were then compared. Results Seventy patients were available for follow-up at an average of 5.4 years (range: 2.1-8.8 years). Average age was 55 years (range: 37-72); 55 (78.6%) were males, 23 (32.9%) were laborers; and 59 (84.2%) patients returned to work. The sole predictor for RTW was surgery on the non-dominant arm (96.5% versus 75.6%; p = 0.021). Laborers showed decreased RTW (p = 0.03). Patients who completed RTW had excellent outcomes with higher ASES (87 versus 50; p value < 0.001) and SST scores (10.4 versus 4.6; p < 0.001). Patients with three tendon tears had inferior ASES (p = 0.026) and SST (p = 0.023) scores than those with less. Conclusion Most workers’ compensation patients have excellent outcomes from rotator cuff repair. Patients with three tendon tear repairs demonstrated the worst functional outcomes. Laborers showed decreased ability to RTW with nearly one-third unable.