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Rotator cuff tear severity does not correlate with symptom duration
Research from the MOON study group found symptom duration in patients with atraumatic, full-thickness rotator cuff tears did not correlate with the severity of the tear, hindered range of motion or other clinical and subjective outcomes.
“There is only a weak relationship between the duration of symptoms and features associated with rotator cuff disease,” the investigators wrote in their study.
Researchers assessed the results of 450 patients who were treated nonoperatively for full-thickness rotator cuff tears. In addition to collecting demographic information on the patients, the investigators gathered data from physical exams, radiographs and patient-reported outcome measures. They also categorized the duration of patients’ symptoms into the following groups:
3 months or less;
4 months to 6 months;
7 months to 12 months; and
more than 12 months.
“A longer duration of symptoms does not correlate with more severe rotator cuff disease,” the authors wrote. Symptom duration was also not associated with weakness or fatty atrophy.
Disclosure: The researchers had no relevant financial disclosures.