title: Clinical outcome and imaging of arthroscopic single-row and double-row rotator cuff repair: a prospective randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and imaging outcomes of single-row and double-row suture anchor fixation in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with emphasis on analysis of the effect of various tear size on repair integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three patents were randomized to either single-row or double-row rotator cuff repair at the time of surgical intervention. The clinical results were evaluated by applying the UCLA score and the ASES index and assessing muscle strength in abduction and external rotation with a minimum 2-year follow-up. The postoperative rotator cuff integrity was evaluated by magnetic resonance arthrography at 6-month and minimum 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 27 patients in the single-row group and 26 patients in the double-row group. Statistically, the UCLA score; the ASES index; and muscle strength were significantly increased in both groups after surgery, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. At minimum 2-year follow-up, intact rotator cuffs were found in 17 patients in the single-row group and 20 in the double-row group, based on magnetic resonance arthrography results. Overall, there was no significant difference in postoperative structural integrity between the 2 groups at 6-month and 2-year follow-up. In patients with tear size larger than 3 cm, the muscle strength of the shoulder was significantly better in the double-row group. For the final imaging results, regardless of the tear size, there was no difference between the single-row and double-row groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation showed better shoulder strength in patients with larger tear size (>3 cm) in comparison with single-row fixation. However, the imaging results showed no significant difference in cuff integrity in both groups in patients with any tear size at 6-month and minimum 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level II, lesser-quality randomized control trial.
authors: National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. hlma@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors: Hsiao-Li
authors: HL
authors: Ma
authors: En-Rung
authors: ER
authors: Chiang
authors: Hung-Ta H
authors: HT
authors: Wu
authors: Shih-Chieh
authors: SC
authors: Hung
authors: Shih-Tein
authors: ST
authors: Wang
authors: Chien-Lin
authors: CL
authors: Liu
authors: Tain-Hsiung
authors: TH
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001027:Aortography; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012016:Reference Values; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome