The effect of expedited rotator cuff surgery in injured workers: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Expediting rotator cuff surgery is expected to facilitate recovery and return to work in injured workers. This case-control study examined the effect of expedited rotator cuff surgery on recovery and work status in injured workers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Injured workers who had undergone an expedited rotator cuff surgery funded by parallel-pay insurance (study group) were compared with workers who had used the public health insurance (control group) while adjusting for sex, age, severity of pathology, and follow-up period. Disability was measured by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Standardized Assessment Form score. The percentage of patients who exceeded the minimal clinically important difference of 17 points in the ASES was calculated.

RESULTS: The study group waited less time to have surgery than the control group (P < .0001), reported less disability after surgery, and had a higher number of patients whose improvement exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (119 vs. 65, P < .0001). The study group was more likely to be working at the time of the final follow-up (P < .0001). The final multivariable regressions, which adjusted for unmatched variables, such as dominant side involvement, mechanism of injury, and associated operations that were different between groups, were consistent with univariable analyses indicating superior results in the study group.

CONCLUSIONS: Injured workers who underwent expedited rotator cuff surgery reported less disability and had a more successful return to work after surgery than injured workers who waited longer for specialist assessment and surgery within the public health system.