Excellent Clinical Outcomes and Rates of Return to Play After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair for Traumatic Tears in Athletes Aged 30 Years or Less

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and rate of return to play (RTP) among athletes aged 30 years or younger who have undergone an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) after trauma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent an ARCR with a minimum of 12 months’ follow-up between 2012 and 2019. Patients were followed up to assess the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Subjective Shoulder Value, visual analog scale score, and satisfaction level. Whether patients were able to RTP was reported, in addition to the timing of return and the level to which they returned. RESULTS: Our study included 20 athletes (20 shoulders), with a mean follow-up period of 31.8 months. All patients were satisfied with their surgical procedure, and all would opt to undergo surgery again. Overall, 85% returned to sport and 50.0% returned to the same level or a higher level. The overall mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 92.4; mean Subjective Shoulder Value, 87.0; and mean visual analog scale score, 0.7. At final follow-up, only 1 patient (5.0%) had undergone a revision procedure. Of the 15 patients who played collision sports, 93.3% returned to sport but only 60.0% returned to the same level or a higher level. CONCLUSIONS: After ARCR, athletes aged 30 years or younger show excellent functional outcomes with high rates of patient satisfaction and RTP after the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.