Outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in large tears: the exposed footprint.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic single-row repair in large rotator cuff tears. Selection was based on the extent of the "exposed footprint" (EFP) obtained by adding up the width of the subscapularis tear and the width of the supra/infraspinatus tear. Three groups were studied: Type I had an EFP of less than 5 cm; Type II had an EFP of 5 cm or more; tears allowing only partial repair were studied separately. During a period of nearly three years (in 2002-04) 49 shoulders complied with our selection. There were 25 type I and 24 type II tears. Subscapularis tears were found in 32/49 shoulders (65%); 10 shoulders (20%) had only partial repair. At an average follow-up of 33 months, all patients were subjected to an outcome assessment using the VAS, the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Constant score (CS) and strength measurement. A near normal shoulder function (11-12 Yes-answers in the SST) was obtained in 68% of the patients with type I tears, compared to 33% of type II tears (p = 0.02). The adjusted CS for patients with a type I tear was 88%, compared to 77% for patients with a type II (p = 0.01); strength was 69% for type I and 36% for type II shoulders (p = 0.001). After arthroscopic single-row and margin-convergence repair, a near normal shoulder function was obtained in two-thirds of the shoulders with an EFP of up to 5 cm. When the EFP was larger, this outcome was achieved in only one-third of the shoulders.

A comparative clinical evaluation of arthroscopic single-row versus double-row supraspinatus tendon repair.

Cadaveric studies and commercial pressure have initiated a strong trend towards double-row repair in arthroscopic cuff surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the biomechanical advantages of a double-row supraspinatus tendon repair would result in superior clinical outcome and higher abduction strength. A retrospective study of two groups of 32 single-row and 33 double-row repairs of small to medium cuff tears was performed. The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and a visual analog scale for pain were used to evaluate the outcome. The participation rate was 100%. A subset of patients was further investigated with the Constant Score (CS) including electronic strength measurement. The double-row repair patients had significantly more (p = 0.01) yes answers in the SST than the single-row group, and pain reduction was slightly better (p = 0.03). No difference was found for the relative CS (p = 0.86) and abduction strength (p = 0.74). Patient satisfaction was 100% for double-row and 97% for single-row repair. Single- and double-row repairs both achieved excellent clinical results. Evidence of superiority of double-row repair is still scarce and has to be balanced against the added complexity of the procedure and higher costs.