The New Zealand Nationwide Rotator Cuff Registry is a first worldwide. An initiative of The NZ Shoulder and Elbow Society, work commenced on the project in July, 2005, and the Pilot Study involving four surgeons and 200 patients commenced in September 2007 and finished in February, 2009. The Nationwide Registry commenced in March, 2009, and by 30th June 520 patients had been recruited. This presentation will focus on the data for the first six months of the study.

Analysis of data for the first four months showed that 71% of patients were male and 29% female. 62% involved the right shoulder. 88% of patients considered their shoulder problem accident-related. The rotator cuff repair was undertaken all-arthroscopic in 71 (13.8%), mini-open in 256 (49.6%), and open in 189 (36.6%). 95% were primary operations and acromioplasty was undertaken in 90%.

Using Cofield’s classification, tear size was small (< 1cm in AP length) in 10%, 1–3cm in 62% and large in 28%. Average pain score did not correlate with AP tear size but the Flex-SF activity score deteriorated with tear size. The supraspinatus was normal in 6% and had a full thickness tear of all of the tendon in 39%, part of the tendon in 38% and had a partial thickness tear in 17%. The subscapularis was involved in 33% and infraspinatus in 28%. A labral tear was present in 8.4% and was repaired in 2.1%. Distal clavicle excision was undertaken in 9% of which 62% were open and 38% arthroscopic. The long head of biceps was normally located in 82%, subluxed in 11% and dislocated in 7%. In 47% of cases it was normal, in 42% damaged and in 11% ruptured. Tenodesis was undertaken in 24%, tenotomy in 19% and in 57% the tendon was left in situ. Double row repair was utilised in 60% and single row in 40%. Suture anchors were used in 78% of repairs, bone tunnels in 7% and a combination in 15%. The tendon quality was rated very well in 26%, good in 54% thin in 13% and poor in 7%.

Postoperatively 42% were immobilised for 6 weeks, 24% for 4 weeks and 11% were not immobilised. A polysling was used in 56% and abduction pillow in 21%, and an ultrasling in 10%. Smoking and NSAID use will be compared in patient-derived outcome data at 6 months, one year and two years from surgery.