The Early Clinical Results of Arthroscopic Triple Row Suture Anchor Repair for Complete Rotator Cuff Tear

Abstract

The clinical result of arthroscopic triple row suture anchor repair (combined operation of double anchor footprint fixation and single row method) for complete rotator cuff tear is reported in the present study. Twenty-two shoulders (the average age at operation was 69 years old: range 53-78) were involved and followed for more than 6 months (average follow up: 10 months). The clinical results were evaluated with JOA shoulder score and post operative cuff integrity was assessed by MRI and classified with Sugaya's classification. The pre-operative average JOA score, which was 71.5, improved to 92.1 at follow up. Regarding post operative cuff integrity, complete repair (type 1 and 2) was seen in 13 shoulders (59%), repaired with thin tendon (type 3) was seen in 2 shoulders (9%), re-tear (type 4 and 5) was seen in 7 shoulders (32%). In re-tear cases, 6 of 7 were type 4, and type 5 was seen in only 1 case. Comparing this to our previous data of repair integrity of double row suture anchor method, type 4 increased and type 5 decreased. Cutting out tendon by tight bridging sutures could be the cause of increasing type 4, and tension adjustment of bridging sutures could be important to prevent tendon cut out.