Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair with and without Acromioplasty in the Treatment of Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Long-Term Outcomes of a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

This multicenter, randomized controlled trial re-evaluated patients originally randomized to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with or without acromioplasty, assessing long-term outcomes at an average follow-up of eleven years. Using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index and reoperation rates, the study found that both treatment groups maintained improved outcomes from their preoperative baseline with no major difference in patient-reported scores, though a higher reoperation rate was observed among patients who did not receive acromioplasty. The findings help settle long-standing debate over the value of subacromial decompression during rotator cuff surgery.