2011 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 883-887
We performed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) for all rotator cuff tears. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of ARCR using double-row technique. We retrospectively studied 64 patients (65 shoulders) who had received ARCR using double-row technique and who were followed up for more than 2 years. The patients were 30 males and 35 females. The mean age at operation was 65 years old (range, 44-86). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 25 months (range, 24-36). The clinical results were assessed using JOA scores and MRI by Sugaya's classification. Tear size was small tear in 9 shoulders, medium in 36, large in 12, and massive in 8. The mean JOA total score was significantly improved from 66 points preoperatively to 96 points postoperatively. Postoperative MRIs showed 20% re-torn cuff in all cases, especially, 40% in large and massive tears. In 45 shoulders which had MRI taken regularly, re-tear by MRI was revealed within 3weeks: none, at 3 months: 4 shoulders, at 6 months: 1shoulder, at 1 year: 4 shoulders, and 2 years: none. In this study, the clinical results of ARCR using double-row technique was mostly satisfactory. But JOA score in no tear group (97points) was better than re-tear group (92points). So we have to consider the methods to prevent re-tear after ARCR.
