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Retear Rates After Rotator Cuff Repair Range From 13 to 94 Percent
Full Title
Re-tears after rotator cuff repair: Current concepts review.
Summary
This comprehensive review examined the rates and risk factors for retear after rotator cuff repair surgery. The author found that retear rates following surgical repair range from 13% to 94%, despite patients often reporting satisfactory clinical outcomes. Multiple factors contribute to retear risk, including patient age, tear size and morphology, surgical technique, and rehabilitation approach. The high variability in retear rates demonstrates that healing after rotator cuff repair is fragile and far from guaranteed. These findings support the importance of protecting the repaired tendon from excessive stress during recovery and the need for ongoing care long after the initial pain subsides.