Functional and structural comparisons of the arthroscopic knotless double-row suture bridge and single-row repair for anterosuperior rotator cuff tears.
BACKGROUND
We compared the outcomes of knotless double-row suture bridge and single-row repairs in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair for anterosuperior rotator cuff tears.


METHODS
We included 61 full-thickness anterosuperior rotator cuff tears treated by arthroscopic repair, namely, single-row repair (group 1: 25 shoulders; mean patient age, 64 years) and the knotless double-row suture bridge repair (group 2: 36 shoulders; mean patient age, 62 years). Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all shoulders. Clinical outcomes were evaluated for mean follow-up periods of 81 months (range, 72-96 months) in group 1 and 34 months (range, 24-42 months) in group 2, using the University of California, Los Angeles and Japanese Orthopaedic Association assessments.


RESULTS
At the final follow-up, both groups showed improvement in the average University of California, Los Angeles and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores and range of motion, although no intergroup differences were observed. Both groups showed improved abduction strength, and the average score was higher in group 2 (P = .0112). The lift-off and belly-press test results were improved in both groups. Postoperatively, the incidence of positive lift-off tests tended to be lower (P = .075) and that of positive belly-press tests was lower in group 2, P = .049). The repair failure rate tended to be lower in group 2 (14% [5 of 36]) than in group 1 (32% [8 of 25]; P = .0839).


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic knotless double-row suture bridge repair of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears yielded functional outcomes equivalent to those of single-row repair and may be useful for improving subscapularis function, abduction strength, and tendon healing.
Department of Advanced Joint Reconstructive Surgery, Kumamoto University Hospital, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. Electronic address: ide@kumamoto-u.ac.jp.
Junji
J
Ide
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Tatsuki
T
Karasugi
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Nobukazu
N
Okamoto
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Takuya
T
Taniwaki
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Kiyoshi
K
Oka
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Hiroshi
H
Mizuta
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
Knotless double-row suture bridge repair; anterosuperior rotator cuff tear; single-row repair