Biomechanical Fixation in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Rotator cuff repair remains a challenging and rapidly evolving field. Several recent studies have shown that arthroscopic repair yields functional results similar to those of mini-open and open procedures, with all of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. However, the “best” repair construct remains relatively unknown, with wide variations in surgeon preference and conflicting evidence in the literature. The most recent developments in basic science, suture and suture anchor technology, and innovative prospects for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair are reviewed.     

Correlation between Severity of Synovitis and Clinical Features in Rotator Cuff Tears

BackgroundRotator cuff tears can be asymptomatic in some cases; however, even when the tear size is small, clinical symptoms can be very severe. This suggests that symptoms of rotator cuff tears are related to factors other than the size. Although synovitis has been cited as one of the factors, there is no grading system for synovitis in rotator cuff tears. Moreover, there are few studies that evaluated the relationship between synovitis and clinical features in patients with rotator cuff tears.MethodsPatients with medium-sized rotator cuff tears, who were scheduled for arthroscopic repair, were recruited for this study. The glenohumeral joint was divided into 4 quarters. Then, vascularity and hypertrophy of the joint were graded in each quarter using a modified scoring system. Clinical assessment was performed preoperatively and at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Finally, correlation between the severity of synovitis and clinical features was analyzed.ResultsThe intraobserver correlation coefficient was 0.815 to 0.918 and the interobserver correlation coefficient was 0.779 to 0.992 for the single measurement. Vascularity was significantly correlated with the range of motion, strength, and constant score within 6 months after surgery. Hypertrophy was correlated with the range of motion within 6 months after surgery.ConclusionsSynovitis in the shoulder with rotator cuff tears can be graded by using our modified scoring system. The severity of synovitis was closely related to the clinical features after surgery. Therefore, when treating patients with rotator cuff tears, treatment of synovitis should also be considered.     

关节镜辅助小切口肩袖修复术治疗肩袖撕裂

目的 探讨关节镜辅助小切口修复术治疗肩袖撕裂的临床效果. 方法 1999年3月～2004年3月应用关节镜辅助小切口修复术治疗肩袖撕裂22例.13例行关节镜检查,小切口肩峰下间隙减压及肩袖修复术;9例行关节镜下肩峰下间隙减压及小切口肩袖修复术.采用UCLA肩评分标准进行评价. 结果 22例随访12～72个月,平均47个月,UCLA评分由术前（14.8±3.8）分升至术后（32.0±4.7）分（t=15.086,P=0.000）.优7例,良13例,可1例,差1例;20例满意. 结论 关节镜辅助小切口修复术是治疗肩袖撕裂的有效方法,操作简单,创伤小.     

Medial Rotator Cuff Failure After Arthroscopic Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

Persistent tendon defects after rotator cuff repair are not uncommon. Recently, the senior author has identified a subset of 5 patients (mean age, 52 years; range, 42 to 59 years) after arthroscopic double-row rotator cuff repair who showed an unusual mechanism of tendon failure. In these patients the tendon footprint appears well fixed to the greater tuberosity with normal thickness. However, medial to the intact footprint, the tendon is torn with full-thickness defects through the rotator cuff. All patients were involved in Workers' Compensation claims. Magnetic resonance arthrography showed an intact cuff footprint but dye leakage in all patients. Revision surgery was performed at a mean of 8.6 months after the index procedure and showed an intact rotator cuff footprint but cuff failure medial to the footprint. Four patients had repair of the defects by tendon-to-tendon side-to-side sutures, whereas one did not undergo repair. Medial-row failure of the rotator cuff is a previously unreported mechanism of failure after double-row rotator cuff repair. Given the small number of patients in this study, it is unclear whether these defects are symptomatic. However, repair of these defects resulted in improvement in pain in 4 of 5 patients.     

Clinical Evidence Shows No Difference Between Single- and Double-Row Repair for Rotator Cuff Tears

Tears of the rotator cuff may be repaired by single- or double-row techniques. Single-row methods do not restore the rotator cuff footprint but do provide a good functional outcome. We surveyed the literature to ascertain the origin of the current trend of using double-row methods of repair. The footprint repair is a benefit of double-row fixation with strong evidence of its biomechanical success. However, the functional outcome of double-row fixation is equivalent to single-row fixation. Given the lack of scientific evidence and despite the enthusiasm of surgeons for this new technique, single-row fixation remains an acceptable method for managing these injuries, and it is our opinion that it is the preferable method.