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Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness articular surface rotator cuff tears: single-row transtendon technique versus double-row suture bridge (transosseous equivalent) fixation: results from a prospective randomized study

  • Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the clinical and structural findings following the arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness (exceeding 50%) articular-sided rotator cuff tears using either a single-row or a double-row suture bridge fixation.

Materials and methods

Fifty patients were included in this study. The patients were randomly placed into two groups: 25 underwent the single-row (Group I) and 25 a double-row suture bridge fixation (Group II). The clinical outcomes were assessed using ASES and Constant shoulder scores, both preoperatively and at the end of follow-up. The pain level was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), preoperatively, at 6 months and at the end of follow-up. All patients underwent preoperative MRI to identify the rotator cuff tear, and postoperatively at 12 months to evaluate tendon integrity.

Results

The average follow-up was 32.5 months. The mean ASES scores increased from 35.9 to 96.7 in Group I and from 35.3 to 93.4 in Group II; the mean Constant shoulder scores increased from 55.6 to 97.8 in Group I and from 57.5 to 97.3 in Group II. There were no significant differences between the two groups. The average preoperative pain level decreased from 7.4 to 3 at 6 months and to 0.4 at the end of the Group I; and from 7.6 to 3 at 6 months and 0.8 in Group II. There was no significant difference between the two groups. At 12 months, the MRI assessments showed two retears in Group I (8%) and one retear in Group II (4%).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness articular rotator cuff tears that exceed 50% of tendon thickness with a single-row transtendon repair or double-row suture bridge provides functional improvement and pain relief regardless of the repair technique used. There were no differences in clinical results between both techniques.

Level of evidence

Level II; prospective comparative study.

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The authors declare that they have not received any type of financing to realise this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital Quirón, Instituto de Traumatología, Avda. del Aeropuerto, 14005, Córdoba, Spain

    Manuel Zafra, Pilar Uceda & Rafael C. Muñoz-López

  2. Reina Sofía University Hospital, Avda. Menéndez Pidal, 14004, Córdoba, Spain

    Francisco Muñoz-Luna

  3. IMIBIC, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain

    Pilar Font

  4. Isla Hierro St Number 14, 14011, Córdoba, Spain

    Pilar Uceda

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  1. Manuel Zafra
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  2. Pilar Uceda
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  4. Rafael C. Muñoz-López
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  5. Pilar Font
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Correspondence to Pilar Uceda.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Hospital Cruz Roja of Córdoba, Spain. Study number assigned is 235/2014.

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Zafra, M., Uceda, P., Muñoz-Luna, F. et al. Arthroscopic repair of partial-thickness articular surface rotator cuff tears: single-row transtendon technique versus double-row suture bridge (transosseous equivalent) fixation: results from a prospective randomized study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 140, 1065–1071 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03387-6

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