title: Single-row, double-row, and transosseous equivalent techniques for isolated supraspinatus tendon tears with minimal atrophy: A retrospective comparative outcome and radiographic analysis at minimum 2-year followup.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the subjective, objective, and radiographic healing outcomes of single-row (SR), double-row (DR), and transosseous equivalent (TOE) suture techniques for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective comparative analysis of arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs by one surgeon from 2004 to 2010 at minimum 2-year followup was performed. Cohorts were matched for age, sex, and tear size. Subjective outcome variables included ASES, Constant, SST, UCLA, and SF-12 scores. Objective outcome variables included strength, active range of motion (ROM). Radiographic healing was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann - Whitney and Kruskal - Wallis tests with significance, and the Fisher exact probability test <0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients completed the study requirements (20 SR, 21 DR, 22 TOE). There was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in outcomes with all repair techniques (ASES mean improvement P = <0.0001). The mean final ASES scores were: SR 83; (SD 21.4); DR 87 (SD 18.2); TOE 87 (SD 13.2); (P = 0.73). There was a statistically significant improvement in strength for each repair technique (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between techniques across all secondary outcome assessments: ASES improvement, Constant, SST, UCLA, SF-12, ROM, Strength, and MRI re-tear rates. There was a decrease in re-tear rates from single row (22%) to double-row (18%) to transosseous equivalent (11%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to preoperatively, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, using SR, DR, or TOE techniques, yielded a clinically and statistically significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic level 3.
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Hillary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.affiliation: Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cole
keywords: Outcomes; rotator cuff; shoulder; surgical techniques