Factors affecting rotator cuff healing

▶ Several studies have noted that increasing age is a significant factor for diminished rotator cuff healing, while biomechanical studies have suggested the reason for this may be an inferior healing environment in older patients. ▶ Larger tears and fatty infiltration or atrophy negatively affect rotator cuff healing. ▶ Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, double-row repairs, performing a concomitant acromioplasty, and the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) do not demonstrate an improvement in structural healing over mini-open rotator cuff repairs, single-row repairs, not performing an acromioplasty, or not using PRP. ▶ There is conflicting evidence to support postoperative rehabilitation protocols using early motion over immobilization following rotator cuff repair.