Medial-row Sutures Research Articles

Lower Trapezius Tendon Transfer With Achilles Tendon Allograft: A Technique Video

Background: While small to medium rotator cuff tears demonstrate good outcomes with primary repair, large, irreparable cuff tears pose a significant clinical challenge with high re-tear rates and lower patient satisfaction. Tendon transfers are procedures that can restore motion and strength in the shoulder in the case of irreparable rotator cuff tears. Trapezius tendon transfers are suitable for large posterosuperior cuff tears as the lower trapezius has a vector of pull similar to that of the infraspinatus. Indications: Lower trapezius tendon transfers are indicated for young and active patients with irreparable posterior and posterosuperior rotator cuff tears causing significant weakness and loss of external rotation. Contraindications to the procedure include advanced osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, advanced age, and deficiency of the subscapularis, deltoid, or trapezius muscles. Technique Description: Using a scapular incision, the trapezius muscle body and tendon are dissected from the scapular spine and mobilized. The plane of the infraspinatus into the glenohumeral joint is tunneled using blunt dissection, and the prepared allograft is passed through under arthroscopic visualization. The allograft insertion is stabilized with 3 knotless anchors and reinforced using medial row sutures from a concomitant supraspinatus repair. The proximal graft origin is fixed to the trapezius tendon using a Pulvertaft weave morphology to reconstruct the muscle-tendon unit. Results: Outcomes data from the literature demonstrate improvement in symptoms and patient satisfaction following the procedure. In a retrospective analysis of 41 patients, Elhassan et al demonstrated that 90% of patients experienced significant improvement in visual analog scale (VAS), Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score at mean follow-up time of 14 months. Discussion/Conclusion: In appropriately indicated patients, the lower trapezius tendon transfer offers restoration of external rotation strength and range of motion, pain relief, low risk of complications, and reduced risk of revision compared with alternative procedures. Patient Consent Disclosure Statement: The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Rotator Cuff Repair With a Bioinductive Patch

Background: As a degenerative condition, symptomatic rotator cuff disease is frequently seen in the aging population, often requiring arthroscopic repair to eliminate pain and restore function. Repair integrity remains a concern in both short- and long-term postoperative periods due to high rates of primary repair failures, leading to increased interest in biologic patch augmentation to improve healing. Indications: Patch augmentation during rotator cuff repair is indicated in patients at high risk for repair failure or incomplete healing, including patients with poor quality, degenerative tendon tissue, those undergoing revision repair, and patients with large or massive rotator cuff tears. Technique Description: Standard arthroscopic portals are established and following diagnostic arthroscopy, the rotator cuff tear is identified, mobilized, and the humeral head gently debrided to a bleeding surface. Medial row suture anchors are placed, and following suture passage through the rotator cuff, the medial row sutures are tied. A bioinductive augmentation patch is introduced and provisionally secured medial to the enthesis utilizing spinal needles. Sutures are shuttled over the patch and incorporated into the lateral row repair utilizing 2 knotless suture anchors, effectively securing the patch over the bone-tendon interface. Results: Utilization of the described patch augmentation technique may improve repair healing by stimulating collagen formation and tissue vascularity, while providing structural support during the immediate postoperative period, effectively facilitating new tissue formation. Discussion/Conclusion: Incorporation of the bioinductive patch into the lateral row suture repair, directly over the tendon-bone interface, may assist in repair healing and decrease issues related to patch migration, while minimizing operative time and materials cost.

Optimizing Anchor Placement for Cone-Shaped Rotator Cuff Tears

There are various technique preferences when performing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Currently, most surgeons address all intra-articular pathology as well as assess the extent of a rotator cuff tear with the arthroscope in the joint prior to moving to the subacromial space, where they will initiate footprint preparation, anchor placement, and rotator cuff repair. Although this technique often yields good or at least acceptable visualization of the footprint, it does not always provide an optimal view of the medial footprint even when using a “50–yard line view” from a lateral portal. This can particularly be an issue with “cone-shaped” supraspinatus tears in which a smaller full-thickness bursal-sided tear often expands to a much larger articular-sided component. When surgeons are visualizing with the scope in the subacromial space, it is much more difficult to obtain a full appreciation of the extent of the articular-sided tear as well as optimal visualization of the medial footprint right up to the articular margin for both bone preparation and anchor placement. This article describes the benefit of keeping the arthroscope in the joint to facilitate footprint preparation and medial-row suture anchor placement prior to going to the subacromial space. This small technical modification can often offer surgeons far superior visualization of the entire greater tuberosity footprint especially when encountering a cone-shaped tear or high-grade articular-sided tear that requires repair. To further enhance viewing of the footprint with the scope intra-articularly, proficiency in using a 70° scope directed laterally will typically allow surgeons the most ideal view achievable. Once anchors are placed into the medial row, the arthroscope is inserted into the subacromial space to complete the repair.

Two Techniques for Treating Medium-Sized Supraspinatus Tears: The Medially Based Single-Row Technique and the Suture Bridge Technique.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair emerged in the early 1990s, and the single-row repair technique (i.e., suture anchor[s] set at the center or laterally on the greater tuberosity) has shown promising outcomes; however, the healing rate of the repaired cuff is suboptimal. Although small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears have shown better clinical outcomes and structural healing than larger tears, healing failure still occurs1.There are several factors that affect rotator cuff healing. The initial stiffness and strength of the repair, gap formation resistance, footprint coverage at the end of surgery, vascularity of the cuff, and mechanical stress on the repaired cuff are important factors2. To improve tendon-to-bone healing, 2 repair techniques have been developed: the suture bridge technique and the medially based single-row technique. The suture bridge technique involves placing anchors in a 2-row fashion, with medial-row sutures from the medial anchors bridged over the footprint with lateral-row knotless anchors3. The single-bridge technique has shown biomechanical superiority in terms of ultimate strength, stiffness, and gap formation resistance4; however, these outcomes are achieved at the cost of relatively high tension at the suture-cuff junction, as well as interference with vascularity at the medial mattress sutures if medial mattress sutures are tied.Alternatively, the medially based single-row technique was proposed as a modification of the laterally based (traditional) single-row technique5. This technique is combined with the creation of bone marrow vents (microfracture technique) lateral to the inserted anchor in the footprint to promote soft-tissue regeneration (called "neotendon") over the exposed footprint. The theoretical advantages of this technique include lower tension on the repaired cuff; better screw purchase beneath the subchondral bone, which avoids weaker cancellous bone on the peripheral area of the greater tuberosity; and avoidance or reduction of lateral shift of the muscle-tendon junction. However, these outcomes are achieved with relatively weaker initial fixation strength and by exposing the uncovered greater tuberosity footprint lateral to the repaired tendon edge.Both procedures provide equivalent outcomes as measured by functional and pain scores. At present, there is no decisive superiority in treating small to medium-sized supraspinatus tears. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is performed in both techniques.For suture bridge fixation, the suture anchor is placed at the articular margin of the humeral head as the medial row, and both limbs of each suture are passed through the tendon approximately 5 mm lateral to the muscle-tendon junction of the rotator cuff in a mattress fashion. After the medial-row knots are tied, the suture limbs are brought into 2 lateral push-in anchors.For the medially based single-row repair, suture anchors are placed lateral to the articular margin. Each suture limb is passed through the tendon approximately 1 cm medial to the torn edge of the cuff. All sutures are tied with 7 half-hitches, avoiding a sliding knot. Open or mini-open rotator cuff repair6.Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair suture bridge technique without knot-tying7.Arthroscopic transosseous (i.e., anchorless) rotator cuff repair8. The suture bridge technique has achieved better mechanical properties and footprint coverage, and the medially based single-row technique has achieved lower tension on the repaired construct with neotendon regeneration. These techniques are the opposite concept as coverage-oriented and tension-oriented techniques, respectively. To our knowledge, there is presently no study showing that either of these 2 techniques is better than the other4. With that said, the author prefers the medially based single-row technique in cases with degenerative tendon tissue, especially among elderly patients with relatively short tendon substance and with preoperative stiffness because lowering the tension on the repaired construct would be more important than coverage of the greater tuberosity. Published data have not shown significant differences in the clinical outcomes and cuff integrity between these 2 techniques, with no decisive superiority when treating small to medium-sized supraspinatus tears. The choice between these techniques is solely the decision of the surgeon; however, medial cuff failure has been reported only when using the suture bridge technique, and incomplete healing was more frequent among medially based single-row techniques. One should consider the risks of medial cuff failure and incomplete healing of the repaired cuff before choosing the repair technique for medium-sized supraspinatus tears. The proposed risk factors for medial cuff failure in the suture bridge technique include:○ A mattress suture configuration placed at the muscle-tendon junction○ Aggressive rehabilitation○ Use of a large-diameter suture passer○ Application of a sliding knot○ High-stress concentration around the medial knotsThe proposed risk factors for incomplete healing in the medially based single-row techniqueare:○ Lower mechanical properties (initial stiffness and strength, gap formation resistance) in the repaired site○ Lower number of sutures.

Biomechanical comparison of subscapularis peel and lesser tuberosity osteotomy for double-row subscapularis repair technique in a cadaveric arthroplasty model

IntroductionManagement of the subscapularis during shoulder arthroplasty is controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance of subscapularis peel (SP) and lesser tuberosity osteotomy (LTO) in a cadaveric model.MethodsThe subscapularis and proximal humerus were dissected from all soft tissues in 21 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders and randomized to undergo SP, LTO, or standard subscapularis tenotomy (ST, control). For SP and LTO, six #5 sutures were passed through eyelets in the implant (on lateral border and through drill holes in bicipital groove [2] and under trunion [4]). Double-row repair was performed using two lateral row transosseous sutures and four medial row sutures through the tendon (SP) or osseotendinous junction (LTO). Biomechanical properties and mode of failure were tested.ResultsThere were no significant differences in elongation amplitude, cyclic elongation, or maximum load to failure between the three groups (P > 0.05). Mean stiffness was significantly higher in LTO (P = 0.009 vs. SP and ST). In the ST group, 7/7 specimens failed at the tendon-suture interface. For SP, 4/7 failed at the tendon-suture interface, one at the suture-bone interface, one fractured around the implant stem, and one at the knots. For LTO, 3/7 failed at the tendon-suture interface, two at the suture-bone interface and two fractured around the implant stem.ConclusionsIn this cadaveric model, subscapularis repair via ST, SP, and LTO techniques was biomechanically equivalent. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the influence of biologic healing on healing rates and clinical outcomes.Level of evidenceN/a, biomechanical laboratory study

Repair Integrity and Re-tear Pattern after Arthroscopic Suture-Bridge Rotator Cuff Repair Abbreviating Medial-row Knot-tying

Objectives: Recently suture bridging technique has become the most popular footprint reconstruction procedure, and many surgeons prefer to perform lateral row fixation after tying the medial-row suture. According to some authors, strangulation caused by medial-row knot can lead to re-tear at the muscle-tendon junction, which is called type II failure. They have reported type II failure occurred 59˜74% in re-tear cases with conventional suture bridging. In order to avoid stress concentration on the medial-row, we prefer to use triple-loaded suture anchors for the medial-row, and perform lateral-row fixation of suture bridging before tying medial-row suture. This is a procedure in which we reduce the cuff to the tuberosity first, then press down the cuff to the footprint by tying the remaining suture. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes and structural integrity after our suture bridging technique. Methods: From April 2012 to May 2015, a consecutive series of 373 patients (4 bilateral cases) with complete rotator cuff tear were performed arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in our hospital. There were 90 small, 135 medium, 117 large, and 35 massive tears according to Cofield classification. Functional outcomes were assessed using JOA and UCLA score preoperatively and at final follow-up which was 29 months on average after surgery. Repair integrity was evaluated with MRI performed at a mean of 14 months after surgery and was graded using Sugaya classification. In addition, re-tear was divided into 2 groups. Type I failure is detachment from the footprint (group F1). Type II failure is muscle-tendon junction failure (group F2). We also investigated the relationship between clinical outcomes and repair integrity/tear pattern. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test for comparing clinical outcomes and one-factor ANOVA/Tukey-Kramer test or Kruskal-Wallis test/Steel Dwass test to compare difference between the groups. Results: Regarding clinical outcomes, both JOA and UCLA scores have significantly improved overall from 72 to 95 and 18 to 34, respectively (P <0.0001). Postoperative MRI demonstrated successful repair in 318 shoulders (84.4%: group S) and re-tear (Sugaya type IV and V) in 59 shoulders (15.6%). There were 16 re-tears (7.1%) in small to medium tears and 43 re-tears in large and massive tears (28.3%). Among 59 re-tears, 39 shoulders (66%) were type I failures (group F1) and 20 shoulders (34%) were type II failures (group F2). Postoperative JOA score was significantly improved in both successful and failed repairs: 72 to 95 in group S, 72 to 94 in group F1 and 70 to 91 in group F2 (P <0.0001). Although preoperative scores demonstrated no significant difference between 3 groups, postoperative scores were significantly different between group S and group F2 (P=0.0008) and group F1 and group F2 (P=0.027). Similarly, postoperative UCLA score in group F2 was also significantly inferior to group S (p=0.0008) and group F1 (P =0.036). Conclusion: Our suture bridging technique abbreviating medial-row knot tying demonstrated excellent functional outcomes and structural integrity after surgery. In addition, rate of muscle-tendon junction failure, which proved to be functionally deteriorated compared with type I failure, was obviously lower when compared with previous reports with conventional suture bridging.

India: PolyOne – plastic colorants

Medial row sutures placed at the musculotendinous junction are more likely to cut through the tendon than those sutures placed 10 mm lateral to the junction. Even if there is little tendon left, putting the stitches at the junction is a bad idea. In this instance, a single-row repair is better.

Transosseous-equivalent repair with and without medial row suture tying: a cadaveric study of infraspinatus tendon strain measurement

BackgroundHow the use of the transosseous-equivalent (TOE) technique effects the stress concentration in repaired rotator cuff tendon is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the strain between the intact rotator cuff tendon and the tendon repaired using the TOE technique with and without medial row suture tying.Materials and methodsStrain of the infraspinatus tendon from 10 fresh-frozen cadavers was measured at the (A) tendon insertion, (B) tendon footprint, (C) tendon of the medial suture level, and (D) musculotendinous junction of the tendon. The strain was measured during 2 cycles of internal and external rotations while applying 4 different loads to the infraspinatus. After the intact tendon was evaluated, an artificially created tear of the infraspinatus was repaired using the TOE technique. Medial row sutures were tied in 5 shoulders (T group) and untied in the rest (UT group). The strains at 4 sites were compared between the intact and the TOE-repaired tendon and between the T and UT groups.ResultsThe strain was significantly reduced at site B in the repaired tendon in the T and UT groups compared with the intact tendon for all loads (P < .05). At site C, the strain increased for all loads in the T group compared with the intact tendon (P < .05).ConclusionThe strain of the tendon over the footprint area was significantly smaller than the intact tendon when repaired with the TOE technique. The strain at the medial suture level was significantly greater when the medial sutures were tied compared with those untied.

Tight medial knot tying may increase retearing risk after transosseous equivalent repair of rotator cuff tendon.

Retearing mechanism after transosseous equivalent (TOE) rotator cuff repair has not been fully clarified yet. The purposes of this study were to compare the stress distribution pattern in the tendon stump between knotted and knotless TOE repair and to investigate the role of suture tension applied during medial knot tying using a 3-dimensional finite element (3D-FE) method. Both knotted and knotless TOE repairs were simulated on the 3D-FE human rotator cuff tear model. Elastic analysis was performed to compare the stress distribution pattern inside the tendon between the two models. The amount of compressive load applied to the medial-row sutures was then changed as 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 N in the knotted model. Knotted model demonstrated more distinct stress concentration inside the tendon around medial-row sutures than the knotless model. Mean von Mises equivalent stress in this area in the 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 N models was 0.26, 0.35, 0.50, 0.70, 1.11, and 1.14 MPa, respectively. In the knotted TOE repair, tight medial knot tying might cause a high stress concentration around medial knots, which may constitute one of the pathogenetic factors of postoperative retearing at this site.

Biomechanical Performance of Medial Row Suture Placement Relative to the Musculotendinous Junction in Transosseous Equivalent Suture Bridge Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

To compare the biomechanical performance of medial row suture placement relative to the musculotendinous junction (MTJ) in a cadaveric transosseous equivalent suture bridge (TOE-SB) double-row (DR) rotator cuff repair (RCR) model. A TOE-SB DR technique was used to reattach experimentally created supraspinatus tendon tears in 9 pairs of human cadaveric shoulders. The medial row sutures were passed either near the MTJ (MTJ group) or 10mm lateral to the MTJ (rotator cuff tendon [RCT] group). After the supraspinatus repair, the specimens underwent cyclic loading and load to failure tests. The localized displacement of the markers affixed to the tendon surface was measured with an optical tracking system. The MTJ group showed a significantly higher (P= .03) medial row failure (5/9; 3 during cyclic testing and 2 during load to failure testing) compared with the RCT group (0/9). The mean number of cycles completed during cyclic testing was lower in the MTJ group (77) compared with the RCT group (100; P= .07) because 3 specimens failed in the MTJ group during cyclic loading. There were no significant differences between the 2 study groups with respect to biomechanical properties during the load to failure testing. In a cadaveric TOE-SB DR RCR model, medial row sutures through the MTJ results in a significantly higher rate of medial row failure. In rotator cuff tears with tendon tissue loss, passage of medial row sutures through the MTJ should be avoided in a TOE-SB RCR technique because of the risk of medial row failure.

The Medial Stitch in Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair

Background: Despite advances in surgical technique, rotator cuff repair retears continue to occur at rates of 10%, 22%, and 57% for small, medium, and large tears, respectively. A common mode of failure in transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repairs is tissue pullout of the medial mattress stitch. While the medial mattress stitch has been studied extensively, no studies have evaluated a vertical mattress pattern placed near the musculotendinous junction in comparison with a horizontal mattress pattern. Hypothesis: Vertical mattress stitches will have higher load to failure and lower gapping compared with horizontal mattress stitches in a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Double-row transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repairs were performed in 9 pairs of human male cadaveric shoulders (mean age ± SD, 58 ± 10 years). One shoulder in each pair received a medial-row suture pattern using a vertical mattress stitch, and the contralateral shoulder received a horizontal mattress. Specimens were mounted in a materials testing machine and tested in uniaxial tensile deformation for cyclic loading (500 cycles at 1 Hz to 1.0 MPa of effective stress), followed by failure testing carried out at a rate of 1 mm/s. Construct gapping and applied loads were monitored continuously throughout the testing. Results: Vertical mattress sutures were placed in 5 right and 4 left shoulders. Peak cyclic gapping did not differ between vertical (mean ± SD, 2.8 ± 1.1 mm) and horizontal mattress specimens (3.0 ± 1.2 mm) (P = .684). Vertical mattress sutures failed at higher loads compared with horizontal mattress sutures (568.9 ± 140.3 vs 451.1 ± 174.3 N; P = .025); however, there was no significant difference in failure displacement (8.0 ± 1.6 vs 6.0 ± 2.1 mm; P = .092). Failure stiffness did not differ between the suture patterns (P = .204). Conclusion: In transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repairs near the musculotendinous junction, a vertical mattress suture used as the medial stitch has a higher load to failure but no difference in gapping compared with a horizontal mattress pattern. Clinical Relevance: A vertical mattress suture may offer enhanced strength of repair for transosseous-equivalent repairs.

Minimal Medial-row Tie with Suture-bridge Technique for Medium to Large Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of minimal-tying(one medial-row tie among 4 medial-row sutures) on the medial-row in double–row suture-bridge configuration (2×2 anchor with 4×4 suture stands). Methods: From 2011 March to 2012 July, 79 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 2×2 anchor double-row configuration. The mean age was 61.3 years (range, 31–81 years). Two double-loaded suture anchors were used for medial-row. Four medialrow stitches were made with only one medial-row knot-tying (the most anterior suture). Lateral-row was secured using the conventional suture-bridge anchor technique; all 4 strands were used for each anchor. Repair integrity was evaluated with MRI at mean 6.2 months postoperatively. Retear and the pattern of retear, change of fatty infiltration, and muscle atrophy of supraspinatus were evaluated using pre- and postoperative MRI. Results: Repaired tendon integrity was 38 for type I, 30 for type II, 6 for type III, 4 for type IV, and 1 for type V, according to Sugaya classification. Considering type IV/V as retear, the rate was 6.3% (5 out of 79 patients). Medial cuff failure was observed in 4 patients. Fatty atrophy of supraspinatus was significantly improved postoperatively according to Goutallier grading (p=0.01). The level of muscle atrophy of supraspinatus was not changed significantly after surgery. Conclusions: Minimal tying technique with suture configuration of four-by-four strand double-row suture-bridge yielded a lower retear rate (6.3%) in medium to large rotator cuff tears.

Arthroscopic Lamina-Specific Double-Row Fixation for Large Delaminated Rotator Cuff Tears

Delamination is a commonly observed finding at the time of rotator cuff repair, but few studies have described the surgical techniques used for delaminated rotator cuff tears (RCTs) or their clinical outcomes. We developed a technique using a combination of a double row and an additional row, which we call lamina-specific double-row fixation, for large delaminated RCTs. The lamina-specific double-row technique is performed using an additional row (lamina-specific lateral row) of suture anchors placed between the typical medial and lateral rows of suture anchors. The technique is performed as follows: (1) medial-row sutures are passed through the inferior (articular-side) and superior (bursal-side) layers in a mattress fashion; (2) lamina-specific lateral-row simple sutures are passed through the inferior layer; and (3) lateral-row simple sutures are passed through the superior layer. We believe that this technique offers the following advantages: (1) creation of a larger area of contact between the inferior layer and the footprint, (2) higher initial fixation strength of the articular-side components of the repaired rotator cuff tendon, and (3) an adaptation between the superficial and inferior layers. This technique represents an alternative option in the operative treatment of large delaminated RCTs.

Transosseous-Equivalent Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review on the Biomechanical Importance of Tying the Medial Row

Double-row and transosseous-equivalent repair techniques have shown greater strength and improved healing than single-row techniques. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tying of the medial-row sutures provides added stability during biomechanical testing of a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff repair. We performed a systematic review of studies directly comparing biomechanical differences. Five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 5 studies, 4 showed improved biomechanical properties with tying the medial-row anchors before bringing the sutures laterally to the lateral-row anchors, whereas the remaining study showed no difference in contact pressure, mean failure load, or gap formation with a standard suture bridge with knots tied at the medial row compared with knotless repairs. The results of this systematic review and quantitative synthesis indicate that the biomechanical factors ultimate load, stiffness, gap formation, and contact area are significantly improved when medial knots are tied as part of a transosseous-equivalent suture bridge construct compared with knotless constructs. Further studies comparing the clinical healing rates and functional outcomes between medial knotted and knotless repair techniques are needed. This review indicates that biomechanical factors are improved when the medial row of a transosseous-equivalent rotator cuff is tied compared with a knotless repair. However, this has not been definitively proven to translate to improved healing rates clinically.

The Roman Bridge: a "double pulley – suture bridges" technique for rotator cuff repair

BackgroundWith advances in arthroscopic surgery, many techniques have been developed to increase the tendon-bone contact area, reconstituting a more anatomic configuration of the rotator cuff footprint and providing a better environment for tendon healing.MethodsWe present an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair technique which uses suture bridges to optimize rotator cuff tendon-footprint contact area and mean pressure.ResultsTwo medial row 5.5-mm Bio-Corkscrew suture anchors (Arthrex, Naples, FL), which are double-loaded with No. 2 FiberWire sutures (Arthrex, Naples, FL), are placed in the medial aspect of the footprint. Two suture limbs from a single suture are both passed through a single point in the rotator cuff. This is performed for both anchors. The medial row sutures are tied using the double pulley technique. A suture limb is retrieved from each of the medial anchors through the lateral portal, and manually tied as a six-throw surgeon's knot over a metal rod. The two free suture limbs are pulled to transport the knot over the top of the tendon bridge. Then the two free suture limbs that were used to pull the knot down are tied. The end of the sutures are cut. The same double pulley technique is repeated for the other two suture limbs from the two medial anchors, but the two free suture limbs are used to produce suture bridges over the tendon, by means of a Pushlock (Arthrex, Naples, FL), placed 1 cm distal to the lateral edge of the footprint.ConclusionThis technique maximizes the advantages of two techniques. On the one hand, the double pulley technique provides an extremely secure fixation in the medial aspect of the footprint. On the other hand, the suture bridges allow to improve pressurized contact area and mean footprint pressure. In this way, the bony footprint in not compromised by the distal-lateral fixation, and it is thus possible to share the load between fixation points. This maximizes the strength of the repair and provides a barrier preventing penetration of synovial fluid into the healing area of tendon and bone.

Arthroscopic Double-Row Suture Anchor Fixation of Minimally Displaced Greater Tuberosity Fractures

In cases of displaced greater tuberosity fractures, treatments by arthroscopic-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation have been reported. However, in cases in which there is a comminuted fracture or a minimally displaced fracture combined with concomitant lesions such as rotator cuff tear or labral pathology, it is difficult to reduce the fracture and to treat other pathologies by use of a percutaneous screw. Recently, many surgeons have used the double-row repair method in rotator cuff repair, which provides a tendon-bone interface better suited for biologic healing and restoring normal anatomy. In accordance with this method, we used the arthroscopic technique of double-row suture anchor fixation for a minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture without additional incision. Initially, debridement was performed on the fracture surface by use of a shaver, and the medial-row anchor was inserted through the anterior portal or the intact cuff. Two lateral-row anchors were inserted just anterior and posterior to the lower margin of the fractured fragment under C-arm guidance. The medial-row sutures and lateral-row sutures were then placed. Arthroscopic double-row suture anchor fixation of a displaced greater tuberosity fracture restores the original footprint of the rotator cuff and normal tendon-bone interface of the displaced greater tuberosity fracture.

Evaluation of Residual Rotator Cuff Defects After In Vivo Single- Versus Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repairs

As arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery has advanced, new techniques have emerged to maximize the biomechanical strength of the repair construct. The double-row repair has been recommended as a means of increasing the contact area of the repaired rotator cuff to the native bone bed. This study attempts to sequentially examine and measure the rotator cuff footprint (in vivo) before cuff repair, after an initial lateral-row repair (before the medial-row sutures are tied), and finally, after the double-row repair. In this way, the rotator cuff footprint of single- and double-row repairs can be quantified and compared. Between October 2004 and February 2005, 26 patients were enrolled in the study. These patients had rotator cuff tears that were amenable to double-row repair by means of performing the lateral-row repair before the medial-row repair. After preparation of the greater tuberosity footprint, the native footprint was measured in the medial-to-lateral direction. Next, the medial-row anchors and sutures were passed through the cuff (but not tied), and then the lateral row was secured via suture anchors and the arthroscope was reinserted into the intra-articular space. A depth gauge was introduced through the repaired cuff (lateral row only), and the residual bare footprint was measured. The medial row was then tied, and the cuff was again visualized from the intra-articular position to measure any remaining bare footprint. The mean footprint measured 17.0 +/- 1.9 mm from medial to lateral. After repair of the lateral row, the mean residual uncovered footprint measured 9.0 +/- 2.0 mm. This constituted a 52.7% +/- 9.2% uncovered area after a single lateral-row repair. After the medial row was secured, there were no remaining residual deficits of the cuff footprint. After an isolated lateral-row repair, 52.7% +/- 9.2% of the rotator cuff footprint remains uncovered. On average, the double-row repair offered over twice the footprint coverage yielded by a single-row repair. The arthroscopic shoulder surgeon should be aware of the enhanced footprint coverage offered by double-row rotator cuff fixation as opposed to single-row rotator cuff fixation.

First in vivo measurements of contact forces in the shoulder joint

In cases of displaced greater tuberosity fractures, treatments by arthroscopic-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation have been reported. However, in cases in which there is a comminuted fracture or a minimally displaced fracture combined with concomitant lesions such as rotator cuff tear or labral pathology, it is difficult to reduce the fracture and to treat other pathologies by use of a percutaneous screw. Recently, many surgeons have used the double-row repair method in rotator cuff repair, which provides a tendon-bone interface better suited for biologic healing and restoring normal anatomy. In accordance with this method, we used the arthroscopic technique of double-row suture anchor fixation for a minimally displaced greater tuberosity fracture without additional incision. Initially, debridement was performed on the fracture surface by use of a shaver, and the medial-row anchor was inserted through the anterior portal or the intact cuff. Two lateral-row anchors were inserted just anterior and posterior to the lower margin of the fractured fragment under C-arm guidance. The medial-row sutures and lateral-row sutures were then placed. Arthroscopic double-row suture anchor fixation of a displaced greater tuberosity fracture restores the original footprint of the rotator cuff and normal tendon-bone interface of the displaced greater tuberosity fracture.