Quantitative T2 mapping-based tendon healing is related to the clinical outcomes during the first year after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Purpose The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between quantitative T2 mapping-based tendon healing and clinical outcomes during the first year after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods Twenty-two patients with rotator cuff tear were prospectively recruited. Serial clinical and MRI follow-up assessments were carried out at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Twenty healthy volunteers were involved and were examined with clinical and MRI assessments. Clinical assessments included Constant Score (CS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), the modified University of California, Los Angles (UCLA) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The region of interest of tendon healing was defined directly over the medial suture anchor on T2 mapping. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between MRI measurements and clinical outcomes. Results All clinical scores indicated significant improvements over the postoperative observation period compared with the initial preoperative values (all P < 0.001). At 12 months, all of the patients returned to their daily life activities. The T2 values of the healing site significantly decreased over time (P < 0.001) and were comparable to those of healthy tendons at 12 months (n.s.). Additionally, the T2 values were negatively correlated with CS (r = - 0.5, P < 0.001), ASES (r = - 0.5, P < 0.001), and UCLA (r = - 0.5, P < 0.001); and positively correlated with VAS score (r = 0.4, P < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between Sugaya classification and clinical scores (all n.s.). Conclusions With regard to tendon healing during the first follow-up year, the T2 values of the healing site decreased with the improvement of clinical outcomes over time.

Automated summary

The study found that in patients with rotator cuff tears, the T2 values at the healing site decreased over time during the first year after surgery, correlating with improvements in clinical outcomes.