Evaluating transosseous anchorless repair for arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery: a comparative study with double row anchor repair.

BACKGROUND

This retrospective observational study compared outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery using double row anchor repair (DRR) versus transosseous anchorless repair (TAR) in patients with small to large full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

A total of 42 patients underwent DRR (n=20) or TAR (n=22) between January 2022 and May 2023. Patients were matched based on age, sex, body mass index, and tear severity. Baseline demographics, including diabetes, smoking status, and Cofield classification, were compared. Functional outcomes were assessed using University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, along with range of motion (ROM) parameters: forward flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, and abduction.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (P>0.05). TAR showed higher UCLA scores at 3 and 6 months (P<0.001) and superior ASES scores at 3 (P=0.025) and 6 months (P<0.001) compared to DRR. By 1 year, no significant differences were observed in UCLA (P=0.101), ASES (P=0.051), or ROM parameters (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both DRR and TAR showed comparable outcomes at 1 year. However, TAR demonstrated early functional benefits at 3 and 6 months, indicating potential advantages in the initial recovery phase. Level of evidence: III.