Rotator cuff failure after surgery: an all-arthroscopic transosseous approach

Tear recurrence is considered the main complication of a rotator cuff repair. The best arthroscopic technique has not yet been established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, from a clinical and a radiological standpoint, the all-arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair with cortical lateral augmentation, performed in the setting of a revision surgery.

Eleven consecutive cases were prospectively followed up for a minimum of 12 month after a rotator cuff repair with a novel all-arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff repair. VAS and UCLA score and patients' satisfaction with the outcomes were analyzed, along with MRI evolution of the repair. All patients underwent a standardized surgery and postoperative rehabilitation program.

All patients showed a significant improvement in pain reduction and functional score. Satisfaction was achieved in 10 out of 11 cases, and only 1 case showed a minor discontinuous tendon signal on the 12-month MRI assessment. No complications were noted.

Our results favor the use of the all-arthroscopic transosseous rotator cuff revision surgery with the 2MC configuration (double MC means the initials of the authors-MM and CC, who have originally described it). It appears to be safe and effective, providing good clinical, functional, and radiological results, with a very high patient satisfaction.