Arthroscopic trans-osseous rotator cuff repair

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Mechanical factors, particularly pressure, are crucial for tendon healing.
• Transosseous rotator cuff repair is the gold standard for maximizing tendon footprint contact and minimizing motion at the tendon-bone interface.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an all-arthroscopic suture bridge-like transosseous repair technique.
• To highlight the advantages of a novel technique using specific instruments and implants for rotator cuff repair.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an all-arthroscopic suture bridge-like transosseous repair.
• Employed a dedicated instrument (Compasso®) and implant (Elite-SPK®) for a single transosseous tunnel.
• Successfully performed the repair using only three suture wires.

Main Results:

• The technique allows precise preparation of the bony side of the lesion.
• It mitigates risks such as anchor pull-out and greater tuberosity osteolysis.
• Achieved maximal tendon footprint contact and reduced tendon-bone interface motion.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic transosseous repair, while seemingly less demanding, is an advanced procedure.
• This technique should be performed exclusively by experienced arthroscopic shoulder surgeons.
• The presented method offers a safe and effective approach to rotator cuff repair.