Surgical treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tears in patients 40 years of age or younger

Full-thickness fears of the rotator cuff are uncommon in the first 4 decade s of life. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 19 consecutive patient s who were 40 years of age or younger and had been created surgically For a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff. Sixteen patients (84%) recalled a n acute injury that heralded the onset of symptoms. Five of the patients ha d sustained an initial glenohumeral dislocation. At an average follow-vp of 5.7 years, all patients were evaluated with regard to pain, function, rang e of motion, strength, return-to-work status, return-to-sport status, and o verall postoperative satisfaction. After operation, 15 patients (79%) repor ted diminished pain relative to their preoperative level, and 12 (63%) of 1 9 were able to function with the extremity above shoulder level. Fourteen p atients (74%) returned to full-time employment, and half returned to sporti ng activities. Thirteen patients (68%) reported subjective improvement with regard to daily functional activities after surgical intervention. The mos t favorable results were seen in those patients who had sustained an acute glenohumeral dislocation in conjunction with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and underwent combined stabilization and repair. The outcome for patie nts who received worker's compensation was less Favorable.