Arthroscopic Repair of a "U" Shaped Rotator Cuff Tear: Modified Margin Convergence with a Single Triple-loaded Suture Anchor

Abstract

Introduction Repair of a "U" shaped rotator cuff tear tends to create extreme tensile forces at the central part of the rotator cuff margin, causing tensile overload and may result in subsequent failure. We describe our technique of repairing the "U" shaped tear in which margin convergence is done using Ethibond (Ethicon Inc., New Jersey) and a single triple-loaded suture anchor. It results in the reduction of the strain and also allows the repair of seemingly irreparable tears. Patients and method We included 10 patients having a "U" shaped degenerative rotator cuff tear. All patients were assessed preoperatively. The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder score (UCLA shoulder score) recorded preoperatively and at final follow-up was used to assess functional outcome. Result Out of 10 patients, six were males and four were females. The mean age was 60 years (range 50-70 years). The average follow-up was for 31 months (range 24 - 48 months). The UCLA score increased from an average of 9 preoperatively (range 8 - 12) to an average of 29.6 (range 27 - 31) at the terminal follow-up. The UCLA increased in the postoperative period and was statistically significant (unpaired t-test; p < 0.0001). All patients had good/excellent outcomes (UCLA score > 27). Abduction increased from average 27 degree preoperatively (range 20 degree - 35 degree) to an average 131 degree (range 125 degree - 140 degree) at final follow-up (unpaired t-test; p < 0.0001). Conclusion Our technique of modified margin convergence achieves low tension repair and anatomical footprint reconstruction with good clinical outcomes using a single triple-loaded anchor.