Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Double Rows & Suture Bridge Technique

ABSTRACT

Ideal rotator cuff repair is to maintain high fixation strength and minimize gap formation for optimizing the environment of biologic healing of tendon to bone. Among the current repair techniques, the suture bridge technique is superior to single- or double-row repair in ultimate load to failure, gap formation, restoring anatomical footprint and achieving pressurized contact area. The suture bridge technique also minimizes gap formation and has rotational and torsional resistances allowing early rehabilitation. However, despite superior biomechanical characteristics of the suture bridge technique, there is no evidence that these mechanical advantages result in better clinical outcomes. Furthermore, there is no difference in failure rates between the double-row repair and suture bridge techniques. An appropriate repair technique should be determined based on tear size and pattern and tendon quality.