Travel Distance Does Not Affect Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of travel distance on achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at least 1 year after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). METHODS: Patients undergoing primary arthroscopic RCR with a minimum 1-year follow-up at a high-volume tertiary referral center between May 2017 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: driving distance of >50 miles from the institution (referral group) and <50 miles (local group). American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score and Constant score at minimum 1-year follow-up were assessed. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze achievement of MCID on any PROM. Subgroup analysis by tear complexity (1 tendon vs. >2 tendons torn) was conducted. Logistic regression was performed to determine whether travel distance and other variables of interest had an effect on achieving MCID. RESULTS: Of 996 patients reviewed, 385 patients (38.7%) had minimum 1-year follow-up. Of these, 62 (16%) traveled >50 miles to their orthopedic provider, and 212 (55%) had a complex tear. MCID for at least one PROM was reached by 305 (94%) patients in the local group and 56 (90%) patients in the referral group. There was no significant difference between groups in reaching MCID for any PROM. Subgroup analysis by tear complexity revealed no significant difference in preoperative PROMs or achieving MCID postoperatively between referral groups. There was no significant difference between groups when controlling for age, sex, adjusted gross income (AGI), primary health insurance, tear chronicity, and tear complexity. CONCLUSIONS: When controlling for age, sex, AGI, primary health insurance, tear chronicity, and tear complexity, distance to a high-volume shoulder arthroscopy surgery center did not have an effect on achieving the MCID for any PROM at least 1 year after arthroscopic RCR. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.