Does Side Dominance Affect the Clinical and Functional Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair?

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the mid-term functional outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR) and to define the effect of hand dominance on functional outcomes and re-tear rate.Methods: Between 2009 and 2015, 160 patients with aRCR (100 females and 60 males) with a minimum 3-year follow-up duration were included in the study. Patients were divided into two main groups according to hand dominance of operated side: Dominant (Group 1) and nondominant (Group 2). Pre- and postoperative functional outcome scores and clinical status of patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES), University at California at Los Angeles Shouder Rating Scale (UCLA) and Constant-Murley score (CMS). Functional scores, and revision rate of patients were compared in terms of hand dominance, patient characteristics and operative features.Results: The mean follow-up period was 45.5 ± 8.3 months (Range, 36 to 84 months). Mean age at the time of surgery was 59.0 ± 8.3 years in the dominant group and 58.3 ± 9.2 years in the nondominant group (p=0.689). Good to excellent postoperative functional outcomes were obtained regarding VAS, ASES, UCLA and CMS and scores in both groups compared with the baseline (p=0.000). Although dominant group had higher postoperative functional scores compared to nondominant group, improvement in functional scores were similar between groups (p<0.05). Retear was noted in 16 patients (7 patients, 7.2% in dominant group and 9 patients, 14.2% in nondominant group, p=0.145). Side dominancy was not associated with retear development (p=0.145). However, tear size was found to be associated with re-tear development (p=0.025). Conclusions: This study suggests that side dominancy has no significant impact on improvement in clinical scores and re-tear development after aRCR in mid-term.