Ultrasound evaluation of arthroscopic full-thickness supraspinatus rotator cuff repair: single-row versus double-row suture bridge (transosseous equivalent) fixation. Results of a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the structural outcomes of a single-row rotator cuff repair and double-row suture bridge fixation after arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness supraspinatus rotator cuff tear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated with diagnostic ultrasound a consecutive series of ninety shoulders in ninety patients with full-thickness supraspinatus tears at an average of 10 months (range, 6-12) after operation. A single surgeon at a single hospital performed the repairs. Inclusion criteria were full-thickness supraspinatus tears less than 25 mm in their anterior to posterior dimension. Exclusion criteria were prior operations on the shoulder, partial thickness tears, subscapularis tears, infraspinatus tears, combined supraspinatus and infraspinatus repairs and irreparable supraspinatus tears. Forty-three shoulders were repaired with single-row technique and 47 shoulders with double-row suture bridge technique. Postoperative rehabilitation was identical for both groups. Ultrasound criteria for healed repair included visualization of a tendon with normal thickness and length, and a negative compression test. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were available for ultrasound examination (40 single-row and 43 suture-bridge). Thirty of 40 patients (75%) with single-row repair demonstrated a healed rotator cuff repair compared to 40/43 (93%) patients with suture-bridge repair (P = .024). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic double-row suture bridge repair (transosseous equivalent) of an isolated supraspinatus rotator cuff tear resulted in a significantly higher tendon healing rate (as determined by ultrasound examination) when compared to arthroscopic single-row repair.

The arthroscopic square knot: fiction or fact?

The square knot is the gold standard for open surgical knot tying. One criticism of arthroscopic shoulder surgery is that arthroscopic knots are not as secure as square knots tied during traditional open surgery. In this brief technical note, we describe a simple technique for tying arthroscopic square knots that the senior members of our group have been using in clinical practice for several years with successful results.

Glenoid component insertion in total shoulder arthroplasty: comparison of three techniques for drying the glenoid before cementation.

This prospective randomized study compared the immediate postoperative periglenoid radiolucencies among 3 glenoid-drying techniques used in total shoulder arthroplasty. Seventy-one consecutive patients with primary osteoarthritis underwent total shoulder arthroplasty by use of 1 prosthetic system with convex-back, keeled, polyethylene glenoid components; the same modern, instrumented pressurization technique was used to cement all glenoids. Of the shoulders, 21 had glenoid implants cemented after bony preparation with thrombin-soaked gel foam, 24 after compressed gas lavage, and 26 after saline solution lavage with sponge drying. The immediate postoperative anteroposterior radiographs were examined to evaluate the presence of periglenoid radiolucencies. Of the patients, 29 (41%) had radiolucencies evident immediately postoperatively, with all radiolucencies occurring in the faceplate zones. The mean total radiolucent line score was 0.63 (P = .94), with no significant difference among cementing preparation techniques (P = .89). Prosthetic mismatch did not differ among glenoid preparation techniques (P = .86). There was no statistical association between prosthetic mismatch and radiolucent line score either across (P = .62) or within (P = .99) the glenoid preparation groups. The associated costs in the gel foam group and compressed gas lavage group were 70 times higher than the cost in the saline solution lavage group. All radiolucencies were noted in the faceplate zones, with no radiolucency greater than 2 mm. Preparation of the glenoid surface for cementing showed no significant difference among the 3 techniques studied, although the material costs were significantly higher in the gel foam and compressed gas lavage groups compared with the saline solution lavage group.

The arthroscopic square knot: a biomechanical comparison with open and arthroscopic knots.

PURPOSE: To compare the loop and knot security of arthroscopic square knots with other arthroscopic and open knots with the use of 2 commonly used suture types. METHODS: Five knot configurations were tested 12 times each. The arthroscopic square knot was compared with the open square knot, arthroscopic and open half hitches with alternating posts, and the Duncan loop. Load-to-failure testing was performed at a rate of 1.25 mm/sec, and cyclic testing was performed between 7 N and 30 N at a rate of 1 N/sec for 50 cycles. Two suture types were tested: No. 2 Ethibond suture and No. 2 FiberWire. RESULTS: Among the No. 2 Ethibond sutures, the arthroscopic Duncan loop had the highest load-to-failure at 165 N. The remaining knot types failed at between 142 N and 148 N. The load at 3 mm of lengthening was between 100 N and 120 N for all knots. The No. 2 FiberWire failed at higher loads than the No. 2 Ethibond suture for all knot types except the Duncan loop. The arthroscopic half hitches, arthroscopic square knots, and open half hitches all failed at between 220 N and 264 N. The open square knot failed at 188 N, and the Duncan loop failed at 147 N. The load at 3 mm of lengthening was between 130 N and 165 N for all knots except the Duncan loop, which failed at 95 N. With cyclic testing, arthroscopic square knots performed better than all knot types, but the differences were clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic square knots have the same or greater strength when compared with other arthroscopic or open knots tied with the same suture type, and they perform as well or better in the face of cyclic loads. Good knot security can be attained with all of the knots tested, regardless of suture type. Equivalent knots tied with No. 2 FiberWire fail at higher loads, except for those tied with the Duncan loop. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Arthroscopic square knots can be used in the clinical setting with no compromise in function when compared with open square knots.

Arthroscopic treatment of multidirectional glenohumeral instability: 2- to 5-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: We present the results of a prospective study evaluating arthroscopic technique in repairing multidirectional glenohumeral instability. Type of Study: Case series. METHODS: The 47 patient study group consisted of 26 men and 21 women. Inclusion criteria were multidirectional glenohumeral instability diagnosed on physical examination and at arthroscopy. Exclusion criteria were unidirectional anterior or posterior instability and prior instability operation. Four patients declined to participate in the study. The average age at the time of operation was 30 years (range, 15 to 56 years). The average interval from operation to final evaluation was 35 months (range 26 to 67 months). The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Index, Constant, Rowe, and UCLA scores were recorded preoperatively and at final evaluation. RESULTS: Preoperatively, no patients were rated overall as good to excellent according to the Rowe scale; at final follow-up 94% (44 of 47 patients) were rated as good to excellent. One patient was considered a failure of the index operation due to persistent instability and underwent a second operative procedure. One patient noted a loss of strength during sports, and 2 patients had pain that limited their throwing ability. The ASES Shoulder Index improved to 94.7 from 45.4 (P =.001). The absolute Constant score improved to 91.7 from 60 (P =.001). The Rowe score improved to 93.7 from 14.2 (P =.001). The UCLA total score improved to 33.1 from 17.4 (P =.001). Average passive external rotation at 90 degrees abduction measured 88.2 degrees. Twenty-two of 26 patients (85%) returned to their desired levels of sports following the operations. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multidirectional glenohumeral instability have multiple lesions within the shoulder and the surgeon must individualize the operative treatment. Arthroscopic surgery produced successful results in 44 of 47 patients.