Does Complete Footprint Coverage Affect Outcomes After Conventional Arthroscopic Repair of Large-Sized Rotator Cuff Tears?

BACKGROUND: In large-sized rotator cuff tears, tendon repair with incomplete footprint coverage is performed frequently as a way of tension-free or low-tension repair. PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes after arthroscopic repair of large-sized rotator cuff tears between patients with complete versus incomplete footprint coverage. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Among 297 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for a large-sized rotator cuff tear, we selected 58 patients (<50% coverage; mean age, 63.34 ± 6.8 years; 34 men and 24 women) with incomplete footprint coverage. Using propensity score matching, another 58 patients with complete footprint coverage (mean age, 63.4 ± 8.03 years; 34 men and 24 women) were selected after 1:1 matching for age, sex, and tear size—the main demographic and prognostic factors of outcomes after rotator cuff repair. Clinical outcomes were compared on magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography at minimum of 6 months postoperatively, and functional outcomes were compared using range of motion and pain visual analog scale; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; Constant; University of California, Los Angeles; and Simple Shoulder Test scores at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients in the incomplete footprint coverage group (31.0%) and 20 patients in the complete footprint coverage group (34.5%) showed healing failure, with no significant difference between groups (P = .843). In addition, there were no differences in functional outcomes between groups (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSION: Whether the rotator cuff footprint was completely covered did not affect clinical outcomes in conventional arthroscopic repair of large-sized rotator cuff tears.