Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with bioinductive patch achieves equivalent patient-reported outcomes and retear rate at 1 year.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a bioinductive patch augmentation following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) in terms of patient-reported outcomes, motion, and complications stratified by tear size.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing primary RCR with and without bioinductive bovine collagen patch augmentation for supraspinatus/infraspinatus tears from 2014 to 2022 at two centers was performed. Exclusion criteria included: age <18 years, revisions, or lack of 6-month postoperative follow-up. Patients were propensity-score matched 2:1 to patch-augmented patients based on age, sex, BMI, and tear size. Outcomes were compared between the patch and control groups after being stratified by tear size.

Results: A total of 125 patients patch augmented RCRs were matched to 250 controls. No significant differences in demographics or comorbidities between groups. Following stratification by tear size, VAS for partial and small/medium tears in the patch cohorts were lower (p = 0.02) at 3 months. Functional scores were not statistically different. Patch-augmented partial and small/medium tears showed increased forward elevation (p < 0.05) at 1-year follow-up. Retear rates were statistically similar.

Conclusions: Bioinductive patch augmentation demonstrates equivalent outcomes for pain and function, retear rate, but is associated with improved forward elevation up to 1-year for partial and small/medium tears.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.