UKUFF

Effectiveness of open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (UKUFF): a randomised controlled trial.

Carr A, Cooper C, Campbell MK, et al. The bone & joint journal 2017 · PMID 28053265 · doi:10.1302/0301-620x.99b1.bjj-2016-0424.r1

Question

Is arthroscopic rotator cuff repair more effective than open (or mini-open) repair?

Design

Pragmatic multicentre RCT across UK NHS hospitals with economic evaluation.

Patients

Adults aged 50 and over with a degenerative rotator cuff tear suitable for repair.

Intervention

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Comparison

Open or mini-open rotator cuff repair

Primary outcome

Oxford Shoulder Score at 2 years

Key result

There was no significant difference in Oxford Shoulder Score, re-tear rate or complications between arthroscopic and open repair.

Limitations

Many patients assessed intraoperatively had no or irreparable tears, and repair integrity imaging was available only in a subset.

Impact on practice

Showed that the surgical approach can be chosen on surgeon expertise and cost; arthroscopic repair carries no outcome advantage.