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Single-row arthroscopic cuff repair with double-loaded anchors provides good shoulder function in long-term follow-up

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic cuff reconstruction, which is currently preferred in our service, and to compare functional outcome after arthroscopic cuff reconstruction comparing different types and sizes of rotator cuff tears. We switched completely from open repair to the full-arthroscopic repair > ten years ago, and since then, we are developing a technique that can produce the best results. Therefore, we decided to verify results.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with rotator cuff tear underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Single-row arthroscopic repair using double-loaded metal anchors and margin-convergence sutures with concomitant procedures were performed in all cases. All patients were assessed and classified before and after surgery using the Constant scoring system and the Oxford Shoulder Score. Tears were measured and classified as medium (1–3 cm), large(3–5 cm) and massive (>5 cm).

Results

The average age of participants was 59 ± 9 years (33–76). There were five medium, 43 large and 23 massive tears. The average functional Constant score at the last follow-up was 91.68 ± 10.62, and the Oxford score averaged 43.23 ± 5.84 without statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) among groups Best results were in the massive-tear group, with an overall Constant score of 98.60 ± 2.61 and an average Oxford score of 47.60 ± 0.55. Full recovery was obtained between six months and one year. We used our own modified rehabilitation protocol and found no postoperative stiffness in this series.

Conclusions

Single-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using double-loaded metal anchors and margin-convergence sutures with concomitant procedures, when necessary, provides excellent results. Pain, range of motion, muscle strength and function were significantly improved after single-row repair among all morphological types of cuff lesions.

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Conflicts of interests

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Hospital “Sveti duh”, Zagreb, Croatia

    Mladen Miškulin & Goran Vrgoč

  2. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

    Goran Sporiš

  3. Institute for Orthopedic Surgery “Banjica” Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Mihajla Avramovica 28 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Oliver Dulic

  4. Institute for Orthopedic Surgery “Banjica”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Gordan Gavrilovic

  5. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia

    Zoran Milanović

Authors
  1. Mladen Miškulin
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  2. Goran Vrgoč
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  3. Goran Sporiš
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  4. Oliver Dulic
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  5. Gordan Gavrilovic
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  6. Zoran Milanović
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Correspondence to Oliver Dulic.

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Miškulin, M., Vrgoč, G., Sporiš, G. et al. Single-row arthroscopic cuff repair with double-loaded anchors provides good shoulder function in long-term follow-up. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 39, 233–240 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2557-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2557-x

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