Functional and Sports-Specific Outcome After Surgical Repair of Rotator Cuff Tears in Rock Climbers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the general (Constant Murley score) and sports-specific (change in International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation [UIAA] grade) outcome after surgical repair of rotator cuff injuries in rock climbers. In a retrospective study, 12 rock climbers (10 men, 2 women; age 55 years; SD±9; range 28-66 years [mean±SD with range] with rotator cuff lesions were re-evaluated 27±16 (12-72) months after arthroscopic surgical repair of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. The etiology of the rotator cuff pathology was equally chronic (age 61±12 [28-66] years) and acute (age 53±5 [51-65] years). The postoperative general outcome, including the Constant Murley score, was assessed with a standardized questionnaire and clinical examination. The postoperative sports-specific outcome was analyzed using the UIAA metric scale. The postoperative Constant Murley score was 92±7 (80-98). All participants had already started climbing again; 11 of 12 climbers regained a climbing level within ±1.33 UIAA metric grades of their initial capability. Arthroscopic repair of acute and chronic rotator cuff tears shows a good functional outcome, enabling most patients to regain a high level of rock climbing ability.