The effect of the number of anchors used in the medial row on clinical outcomes in arthroscopic double row repair of rotator cuff tears: retrospective evaluation of patients with 3 to 7 years of follow-up

Abstract

Aim: Arthroscopic double row (DR) suture anchor repair is one of the most frequently applied methods in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tear (RCT). Various modifications have been tried to eliminate some of the disadvantages of this technique such as operation time, high cost, and the high risk of retearing. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether placing a single or double suture anchor in the medial row affects clinical and functional outcomes and retear rates in patients with RCT who were operated with the DR suture anchor technique. Material and Method: A retrospective study including 58 patients aged 18-65 years who underwent DR suture anchor repair due to medium-sized RCT and had a minimum follow-up period of 3 years was conducted. One knotless anchor was placed in the lateral row in all patients. In the medial row, we placed 1 all suture anchor (ASA) in group 1 and 2 ASAs in group 2. Visual pain scale (VAS), University of California Los Angeles Score (UCLA), American shoulder and elbow score (ASES) scales were used for preoperative and postoperative clinical and functional evaluation, and complications and retears were recorded. Results: When the preoperative and postoperative VAS, UCLA and ASES scores were compared within groups, there were significant difference from pre- to post-operative findings in both groups (p <0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of preoperative and postoperative VAS, UCLA and ASES score (p >0.05). Operation time in Group 1 was significantly shorter than in Group 2 (p <0.001). Conclusion: In DR suture anchor repair, there is no difference in clinical outcomes and retear rates in surgeries utilizing single or double suture anchor placement in the medial row. Increasing the number of anchors in the medial row does not contribute to clinical and functional results, and has disadvantages such as increasing operation time and cost.

Keywords

• Rotator cuff tear
• double row repair
• retear
• UCLA
• ASES

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