Gender-Based Differences In Mid-Term Clinical Outcomes And Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State Attainment After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Minimum 2-Year Follow Up

ObjectiveThere is paucity of literature on the impact of patients' gender on recovery and treatment success after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This study investigates the effect of gender on patient-reported outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively (minimum 2 years), and to determine if gender affects attainment of patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) thresholds.Methods266 patients (117 males, 149 female), who underwent primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for atraumatic, full-thickness tears, were included. Functional outcomes and pain scores were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Percentage of attainment of PASS for the various outcome scores was calculated and compared between males and females.ResultsWomen had statistically significantly poorer functional outcome and pain scores preoperatively and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively (P<0.01). They also experienced less improvement in outcome scores throughout the postoperative period. Women had statistically significantly lower rates of PASS attainment at 2 years postoperatively.ConclusionWomen experience greater pain and poorer shoulder function compared with men preoperatively, and up to 2 years postoperatively. Women are less likely to achieve patient acceptable symptom state thresholds postoperatively, compared to their male counterparts.