ABSTRACTIntroduction Osteoporosis is associated with compromised bone quality and healing potential. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) restores shoulder function and reduces pain in patients with rotator cuff pathology. The influence of osteoporosis on complications and long-term outcomes following RCR remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between osteoporosis and outcomes after arthroscopic RCR. Methods The PearlDiver Mariner 170 dataset was retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped by whether they had a diagnosis of osteoporosis within the year prior to RCR. The two groups were propensity score matched 1:1 on age, gender, and comorbidities. Outcomes were assessed at 1-year and 3-years postoperatively. The outcomes of interest included repeat RCR, surgical site infection (SSI), frozen shoulder (FS), proximal humerus fracture, total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and lysis of adhesions (LOA)/ manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). Results After propensity score matching, there were no differences in demographics and comorbidities between groups. At 1-year postoperatively, the osteoporosis group had increased rates of FS (3.7% vs. 3.1%; p=0.004), proximal humerus fracture (0.6% vs. 0.4%; p=0.002) and TSA (1.2% vs. 0.9%; p=0.012). This trend persisted at 3-years postoperatively, with the osteoporosis group continuing to have increased rates of FS (4.8% vs. 4.0%; pConclusion Patients with osteoporosis are at increased risk of FS, proximal humerus fractures, and TSA at one and three-years after arthroscopic RCR. Overall rates of complication were low and osteoporosis should not be considered a contraindication to arthroscopic RCR.
Brown et al. (Sun,) studied this question.