Abstract
Background: Good clinical outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff suture bridge repair have been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical outcome of suture bridge technique in comparison with two types of suture anchors.
Methods: Thirty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were included in this study. Fifteen patients underwent suture bridge repair using Panalok loop RC anchor as lateral anchors (group A), and Footprint PK suture anchors were used on the other fifteen patients (group B). The number of bridging suture used for one lateral anchor, operative time, JOA score, Constant score and cuff re-tear rate were evaluated. Intra-operative complications were also assessed.
Results: The number of bridging suture in group A was significantly less than group B. There was no significant difference of operative time between the two groups. The mean JOA score and Constant score in both groups improved at 6 months postoperatively. Two of fifteen patients in group A and three of fifteen patients in group B had re-tears of the repaired rotator cuff. No anchor in group B but two anchors in group A were pulled out intraoperatively.
Conclusion: There was no difference between the two groups in the clinical outcome and re-tear rate of repaired rotator cuff. However, Footprint PK suture anchor can be loaded with more bridging sutures than Panalok loop RC and might have sufficient pullout strength for suture bridge technique.
