title: Is the arthroscopic modified tension band suture technique suitable for all full-thickness rotator cuff tears?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to identify the clinical and structural outcomes after arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears of all sizes with a modified tension band suture technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 63 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for a full-thickness rotator cuff tear with the modified tension band suture technique at a single hospital between July 2011 and March 2013, 47 were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up period was 29 months. Visual analog scale scores, range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Constant scores, and Shoulder Strength Index were measured preoperatively and at the final follow-up. For radiologic evaluation, we conducted magnetic resonance imaging 6 months postoperatively and ultrasonography at the final follow-up. We allocated the small and medium tears to group A and the large and massive tears to group B and then compared clinical outcomes and repair integrity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative clinical outcomes at the final follow-up showed significant improvements compared with those seen during preoperative evaluations (P < .001). However, group B showed worse clinical results than group A. Evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging performed 6 months postoperatively and ultrasonography taken at the final follow-up revealed that group B showed a significantly higher retear rate than did group A (69% vs. 6%, respectively; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic repair with the modified tension band suture technique for rotator cuff tears was a more suitable method for small to medium tears than for large to massive tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: serina@wonkwang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Kyun
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong Je
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Physical Education, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Moon
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
keywords: Shoulder; arthroscopic repair; full-thickness rotator cuff tear; modified tension band suture technique; retear rate; rotator cuff repair