A prospective, multipractice study of shoulder function and health status in patients with documented rotator cuff tears

A total of IPI patients from 29 orthopedic practices are analyzed in this r eport. All had full-thickness tears documented by imaging tests and/or surg ical observation; 190 had tears of the supraspinatus, 54 had tears of the i nfraspinatus, and 13 had tears of the subscapularis. The greatest functiona l deficits were in the ability to place 8 pounds on a shelf at the level of the head (93% unable), the ability to throw overhand (93% unable), and the ability to sleep on the affected side (86% unable). The SF-36 physical rol e function and comfort scores were 27% and 48%, respectively, of those of a ge- and sex-matched controls. Of the variables suggested by a review of the literature, only female sex, involvement of the infraspinatus in the cuff tear, and workers' compensation claims were significantly correlated with l ower shoulder function in this series of patients.