Obesity negatively affects outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at four-year follow-up

Abstract

Introduction

The purpose is to evaluate the influence of obesity (BMI 30 to 39.9 kg/m ^{2 )} on surgical outcomes following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review was performed examining the outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in both a normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²) and an obese (BMI 30 to 39.9 kg/m²) patient population, specifically looking at functional outcomes and range of motion. Secondary variables analyzed were surgical time, complications, and medical comorbidities.

Results

52 normal weight patients (mean BMI 23.7 ± 2.1) and 59 obese patients (mean BMI 34.0 ± 2.4) were included. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in VAS, SANE and ASES scores (P < 0.0001), however there were significantly better outcomes in the normal weight group in VAS (0.56 ± 0.96 vs 1.42 ± 2.22; P = 0.0108), ASES (96.1 ± 5.8 vs 90.6 ± 15.6; P = 0.0192), and internal rotation (9.2 ± 3.0 vs 10.9 ± 2.3; P = 0.0010). Additionally, the obese cohort had more complications, longer surgical times, and a greater comorbid background.

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with significantly more comorbid conditions, surgical complications, longer surgical time, and worse patient reported outcomes than normal weight patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.