Timing From Diagnostic Imaging to Rotator Cuff Repair Does Not Significantly Impact Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes
- 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, USA
Abstract
Background
The decision to pursue rotator cuff repair (RCR) for symptomatic rotator cuff tears is multifactorial. While prior studies have evaluated predictors of operative versus nonoperative success, the impact of timing from diagnostic imaging to surgery on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether time from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound to RCR affects clinical and patient-reported outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients undergoing RCR. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on time from imaging to surgery: <3 months and ≥3 months. Demographics, preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores, and active and passive range of motion were assessed. A subgroup analysis compared traumatic and nontraumatic tears. Complication rates were evaluated between groups.
Results
A total of 487 patients were included (342 <3 months; 145 ≥3 months). At one-year follow-up, VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the <3-month cohort (2.7 ± 2.7 vs. 3.3 ± 3.3; p = 0.05); however, this did not meet the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 1.4. No significant differences were found in abduction (p = 0.44), forward flexion (p = 0.57), or external rotation (p = 0.35). Overall complication rates were similar (17.3% vs. 20%; p = 0.43), as were re-tear (9.4% vs. 11.7%; p = 0.43), adhesive capsulitis (5.6% vs. 3.5%; p = 0.33), and prolonged postoperative pain (1.8% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.12). No differences were observed between traumatic and nontraumatic tears.
Conclusion
RCR within three months of imaging is associated with statistically lower one-year pain scores but no clinically meaningful differences in outcomes or complications.
Related
- Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Non-English-Speaking Patients Undergoing Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty
- First reported clinical implementation of pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy in Japan: Program development and 30-day outcomes in two patients
- Non-Invasive Assessment of SMAD4 Expression Status in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Diagnostic Value of T1ρ-Weighted Imaging Combined with Clinical Parameters
- Real‐World Use of Avacopan in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis: Early and Long‐Term Clinical, Renal, and Patient‐Reported Outcomes in an Italian Rheumatology–Nephrology Network
- HER2-Low Breast Cancer: A Review of Epidemiology, Diagnostic Challenges, Targeted Therapies, and Clinical Outcomes
BibTeX
@article{dalby2026timing,
title = {{Timing From Diagnostic Imaging to Rotator Cuff Repair Does Not Significantly Impact Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes}},
author = {Drew Dalby and Nathan Li and Mahdi Mazeh and Joshua Castle and Jared M Mahylis and Stephanie Muh},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117472},
url = {https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.117472},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Timing From Diagnostic Imaging to Rotator Cuff Repair Does Not Significantly Impact Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes
AU - Drew Dalby
AU - Nathan Li
AU - Mahdi Mazeh
AU - Joshua Castle
AU - Jared M Mahylis
AU - Stephanie Muh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117472
UR - https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.117472
AB - Background The decision to pursue rotator cuff repair (RCR) for symptomatic rotator cuff tears is multifactorial. While prior studies have evaluated predictors of operative versus nonoperative success, the impact of timing from diagnostic imaging to surgery on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether time from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound to RCR affects clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients undergoing RCR. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on time from imaging to surgery: <3 months and ≥3 months. Demographics, preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores, and active and passive range of motion were assessed. A subgroup analysis compared traumatic and nontraumatic tears. Complication rates were evaluated between groups. Results A total of 487 patients were included (342 <3 months; 145 ≥3 months). At one-year follow-up, VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the <3-month cohort (2.7 ± 2.7 vs. 3.3 ± 3.3; p = 0.05); however, this did not meet the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 1.4. No significant differences were found in abduction (p = 0.44), forward flexion (p = 0.57), or external rotation (p = 0.35). Overall complication rates were similar (17.3% vs. 20%; p = 0.43), as were re-tear (9.4% vs. 11.7%; p = 0.43), adhesive capsulitis (5.6% vs. 3.5%; p = 0.33), and prolonged postoperative pain (1.8% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.12). No differences were observed between traumatic and nontraumatic tears. Conclusion RCR within three months of imaging is associated with statistically lower one-year pain scores but no clinically meaningful differences in outcomes or complications.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -