title: Single-row versus double-row arthroscopic repair in the treatment of rotator cuff tears: a prospective randomized clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with single-row and double-row techniques because research has demonstrated the superiority of double-row repair from a biological and mechanical point of view but there is no evidence of clinical superiority.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 160 patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear underwent arthroscopic repair with suture anchors. They were randomised into two groups of 80 patients according to the repair technique: single-row (group 1) and double-row (group 2). Results were evaluated by use of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant questionnaires, the Shoulder Strength Index (SSI) and range of motion. Follow-up time was two years. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed on each shoulder preoperatively and two years after repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred per cent of the patients were followed up. All measurements showed significant improvement compared with the preoperative status. The UCLA score showed significant improvement in group 2. In over 30-mm tears UCLA and ASES showed significant differences. SSI showed significant improvement in group 2. Range of motion showed significant improvements in flexion and abduction in group 2. In under 30-mm tears group 2 showed also significant improvement in internal and external rotation. In MRI studies there were no significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At two years follow-up the double-row repair technique showed a significant difference in clinical outcome compared with single-row repair and this was even more significative in over 30-mm tears. No MRI differences were observed.
authors.affiliation: HU Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain. nachocarbonel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carbonel
authors.forename: Angel Antonio
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calvo
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ripalda
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrera
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D053656:Tenodesis / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome