The Technique of Arthroscopic Repair of Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

Abstract

ABSTRACT The treatment of partial thickness articular side rotator cuff tears remains controversial with recommendations ranging from debridement with or without acromioplasty to mini-open rotator cuff repair following completion of the tear. We describe a fully arthroscopic technique of undersurface rotator cuff repair which does not require take down of the intact bursal surface of the rotator cuff tendon. This technique results in near complete coverage of the greater tuberosity footprint by the torn rotator cuff tendon while avoiding the morbidity of a deltoid split and tear completion. Because the bursal footprint of the rotator cuff insertion is left intact while the articular margin of the tear is repaired, this results in a repair equivalent to a double row technique now being utilized for full thickness rotator cuff tears. We report the early results of a prospective, nonrandomized series of 24 patients who underwent this repair for Ellman Grade III articular sided rotator cuff tears. This reproducible arthroscopic technique results in greater success then debridement alone while avoiding the increased morbidity associated with mini open repair and take down of intact cuff tissue.