One- and 2-Year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Scores Do Not Vary Significantly After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Multicenter Analysis of 1,567 Patients

Purpose: To evaluate whether there are clinically significant changes in patient -reported outcomes between 1 and 2 years' postoperatively after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospective, multicenter registry was queried for all patients who underwent RCR. Patients with preoperative, 6 -month, 1 -year, and 2year postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were included. We evaluated mean postoperative ASES scores, D (change from preoperative) ASES, and the %MOI (% maximum outcome improvement). We also evaluated achievement of clinically significant outcomes (CSOs) for the ASES score, including the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit, and patient -acceptable symptom state. Results: There were 1,567 patients with complete data through 2 -year follow-up. There were small differences in achievement of CSOs from 1 to 2 years: 88% to 91% for MCID, 81% to 83% for substantial clinical benefit, and 65% to 71% for patient -acceptable symptom state. There were statistically significant differences from 1 to 2 years in mean ASES (87 to 88, P < .001), D ASES (37 to 39, P < .001), and %MOI (72% to 76%, P < .001); however, these changes were well below the MCID of 11.1. From 1 to 2 years, the mean ASES improved only 1.7 points (P < .001). At 1 year, patients achieved, on average, 97% of their 2 -year ASES. Conclusions: Both patient -reported outcomes and achievement of CSOs show small differences at 1 and 2 years after RCR. Given the large sample size, there were statistical differences, but these are unlikely to be clinically relevant. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.