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Arthroscopic double-row cuff repair with suture-bridging: a structural and functional comparison of two techniques

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the functional and structural outcomes of 2 techniques for double-row, suture-bridging cuff repair.

Methods

A consecutive series of 73 patients who underwent arthroscopic, double-row, suture-bridge primary rotator cuff repair of full-thickness supraspinatus tear were evaluated. Thirty-eight shoulders were repaired by the arthroscopic, tied, suture-bridging technique (group A), and 35 shoulders by knot-less bridging with suture tape material (group B). Constant scores, pain, range of motion, strength, and complications were measured after a minimum follow-up period of 12 months post-operatively. Structural integrity of the repairs was evaluated systematically by either magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography.

Results

Median follow-up after surgery was 29 (23–32) months in group A, and 21 (12–23) months in group B. Mean pain relief, range of motion, strength, and constant score improved significantly in both groups. No statistical differences were found between groups in the post-operative period. According to control imaging, the re-tear rate trended to be higher in group A (23.4 %) than in group B (17.1 %), although not significantly.

Conclusion

Both bridging repair techniques achieved successful functional outcomes. In terms of structural outcome, the knot-less tape-bridging construct showed a lower but not significant re-tear rate. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these results and to evaluate potential differences between the two techniques.

Level of evidence

A prospective, non-randomized, comparative study, Level III.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Department, Bichat Hospital, Assistance Publique/Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris VII, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75018, Paris, France

    P. Boyer, C. Bouthors, T. Delcourt, O. Stewart, F. Hamida, G. Mylle & P. Massin

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  1. P. Boyer
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  2. C. Bouthors
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  3. T. Delcourt
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  4. O. Stewart
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Correspondence to P. Boyer.

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Boyer, P., Bouthors, C., Delcourt, T. et al. Arthroscopic double-row cuff repair with suture-bridging: a structural and functional comparison of two techniques. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 478–486 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2401-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2401-7

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