Rotator Cuff Repair: The Compression SpeedBridge Technique

While rotator cuff repair has generally produced good to excellent outcomes, re-tear rates remain variable, with rates ranging from 20% to 50%. The ideal rotator cuff repair includes 3 main components: restoration of the humeral footprint contact area, appropriate compression of the tendon to the humeral footprint, and minimal motion at the bone-tendon interface until bone-tendon healing is completed. This video takes a well-established knotless double-row technique for rotator cuff repair and augments it with a modification to promote additional compression of the medial row tendon to the humeral footprint.

This compression SpeedBridge technique is indicated for repair of T-type rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons in patients that have failed conservative management, including physical therapy, activity modification, and corticosteroid injections. This technique can also be applied to U-shaped or L-shaped tears by removing the initial step, which involves side-to-side repair of the "T" portion of the T-type tear. Of note, findings such as advanced muscle atrophy (Goutalier III/IV) and advanced glenohumeral arthritis are concerning for irreparable tears and may be contraindications for surgical repair.

With the patient in the lateral decubitus position, a diagnostic arthroscopy is performed, the rotator cuff tear is debrided, and the footprint prepared. Two side-to-side stitches are placed to repair the "T" portion of the tear. The medial row anchors are then sequentially placed, and the pre-loaded sutures are passed through the tendon in 4 sequential locations in specific fashion. After placement of looped sutures in the anterior and posterior rotator cables, the passed sutures are then incorporated into the lateral row anchors. The medial row compression is provided by shuttling previously placed compression stitches through the knotless mechanism in the medial row anchors and terminally tensioned.

This technique provides additional medial row compression to an already-established knotless double-row rotator cuff repair technique to facilitate improved bone-tendon healing and construct strength.

The compression SpeedBridge technique is a unique method to apply additional medial row compression to a double-row rotator cuff repair.

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