The Effect of the Overweight Condition on Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Outcomes

This study sought to investigate the influence of a preexisting overweight condition (body mass index [BMI], 25-29.9 kg/m²) on functional outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. A retrospective review was performed examining the outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in a normal-weight (BMI, 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and an overweight (BMI, 25-29.9 kg/m²) population. Functional outcomes were assessed to include the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, as well as range of motion in forward flexion, external rotation, and internal rotation. A total of 52 normal-weight patients (mean BMI, 23.7±2.1 kg/m²) and 57 overweight patients (mean BMI, 28.4±1.4 kg/m²) were included. Both groups demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in VAS score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and ASES score at final follow-up (P < .0001), with no difference in range of motion (P>.05). Overall, when comparing outcomes between the groups, there were significantly better outcomes in the normal-weight group's VAS scores (mean, 0.56±0.96 vs 1.3±1.7; P = .0064), ASES scores (mean, 96.1±5.8 vs 92.4±9.7; P = .0187), and internal rotation (mean thoracic vertebrae, 9.2±3.0 vs 10.4±2.6; P = .0289). However, these differences did not reach clinical significance regarding the threshold of patients meeting standard minimal clinically important difference, substantial clinical benefit, and patient-acceptable symptomatic state for rotator cuff repairs. Overweight patients have improved outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery with noninferior clinical results when compared with normal-weight patients. More data regarding outcomes of overweight patients will help physicians make better-informed decisions when considering rotator cuff repair.