Clinical and radiologic outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: Single-row versus Speed-Bridge technique

Abstract

We compared clinical outcome between the Speed-Bridge technique and single-row techniques in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears and figured out the patterns of retear by computed tomography (CT) arthrogram and ultrasonography follow-up.

In total 209 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and were followed up for at least 2-year were enrolled retrospectively (group 1: single-row repair, group 2: Speed-Bridge repair). Pre- and postoperative data were reviewed to assess clinical and radiologic outcomes.

There were no significant differences in clinical outcome between the 2 groups. The retear rates of medium and large-sized rotator cuff tear groups were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the medial row failure rate between the 2 groups.

Present study showed that the knotless suture Bridge technique may be a considerable alternative method for treating full-thickness rotator cuff-tears.

Level of evidence: Level III, Retrospective comparative study.