Single-row and transosseous sutures for supraspinatus tendon tears: a retrospective comparative clinical and strength outcome at 2-year follow-up

Introduction: Rotator cuff tears commonly necessitate surgical repair; however, the optimal technique for repair continues to be investigated. Recently, double-row repairs have been considered an alternative to single-row repair, allowing a greater coverage area for healing and a possibly stronger repair. Aim: We performed a study to compare single-row repair and suture-bridge (SB) technique (a TOE technique) in terms of the recovery of the strength and functional outcome. Material and method: The purpose of the retrospective study was to compare 44 patients treated for a rotator cuff repair with the single-row (24) or suture-bridge techniques (20). At 24-month FU, there were not statistically significant differences for the UCLA score, Individual Constant Score, pain, ROM, and strength on the treated and contra-lateral arm. Comparing the mean values of the differences in strength obtained between the treated arm and the contra lateral in each group, the final results appeared significantly different in favor of SB (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Patients treated with DR could expect to regain the same strength of the contra-lateral side, while patients treated with SR could expect globally good results, overall in terms of pain relief and functionality, but lower strength.