Healing Rates and Functional Outcomes After Triple-Loaded Single-Row Versus Transosseous-Equivalent Double-Row Rotator Cuff Tendon Repair.

BACKGROUND

Although healing rates and outcomes of arthroscopic single-row rotator cuff repairs have been compared with double-row repairs, none have utilized triple-loaded anchors.

PURPOSE

To compare healing and function after single-row repairs with triple-loaded anchors versus double-row repairs with a suture-bridge technique.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A single surgeon performed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on 47 consecutive patients with an easily reducible full-thickness rotator cuff tear of medium size (1-3 cm). A retrospective cohort study was performed in which the first 25 patients underwent repair with a double-row suture-bridge (DRSB) technique. The next 22 patients underwent repair with a single-row technique with triple-loaded anchors and simple stitches (SRTL) after a change in technique by the surgeon. Twenty-one DRSB and 18 SRTL repairs were evaluated preoperatively and at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively with a visual analog scale for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons form, and the Simple Shoulder Test. Healing was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging at a minimum of 12 months.

RESULTS

When DRSB repairs were compared with SRTL repairs, there were no significant differences in patient age (61 vs 65 years), tear size (2.3 vs 2.1 in the sagittal plane; 2.0 vs 1.8 cm in the coronal plane), Goutallier fatty infiltration (supraspinatus grade: stage 0, 38%; stage 1, 38%; stage 2, 19%; stage 3, 5%; vs stage 0, 56%; stage 1, 39%; stage 2, 5%; stage 3, 0%), tendon healing (71% vs 78%), improvement in visual analog scale pain score (3.7 vs 3.2), or improvement in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores (34.6 vs 36.9), with > .05 in all cases. SRTL repairs had significantly greater improvement in Simple Shoulder Test scores versus DRSB repairs (6.6 vs 4.5; = .03).

CONCLUSION

DRSB and SRTL repairs have similar improvements in pain and function with equivalent healing rates for arthroscopic repair of mobile full-thickness rotator cuff tears of medium size (1-3 cm).