Evaluation of Functional and Biomechanical Outcome by Shear-wave Elastography in the Short to Intermediate Follow-up After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

This exploratory project will evaluate the biomechanical and functional intermediate-term outcome (2 to 5 years) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) with modern non-invasive ultrasound techniques (especially shear wave elastography (SWE)), standardized physical examinations and patient-reported outcomes. It is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of tendons and muscles of the rotator cuff, as well as the biceps muscle after ARCR and to compare elasticity and structural properties to the healthy contralateral side.

Inclusion Criteria:year of surgery between 2015 and 2020ARCR surgery in cases of:Partial or complete supraspinatus (SSP) tearPartial or complete supraspinatus (ISP) tearPartial or complete subscapularis (SSC) tearCombined SSP, ISP and SSC tearwith or without biceps tenodesis during same procedureable to understand the content of the patient information / consent form and give consent to take part in the studyExclusion Criteria:revision surgery (prior repair of the rotator cuff in the same shoulder)postoperative infectionspatients with a language barrier hindering questionnaire completion (either in German, French, Italian or English)legal incompetencenot eligible for Ultrasound (BMI >35, persistent frozen shoulder)Prior surgery or injury of the contralateral shoulder