arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: transosseouss versus anchor technique

to compare clinical outcomes of arthroscopic anchor repair of rotator cuff muscles of shoulders versus shoulders treated with arthroscopic trans-osseous bone tunnel repair.

A prospective comparative study of 60 shoulders with rotator cuff tear that had arthroscopic repair done at Cairo University Hospital during the period from April 2022 to October 2024. They were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group I included 30 shoulders with rotator cuff tear managed by arthroscopic single row anchor repair and group II included 30 shoulders with rotator cuff tear managed by arthroscopic trans-osseous repair. The patients were compared regarding clinical outcome and the cost.

ROM, ASES, and OSS scores showed statistically significant improvements following surgery, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In group I, mean forward flexion was 156.7 degrees, external rotation was 72.7 degrees, internal rotation was 68 and in group II the mean forward flexion was 164.3 degrees, external rotation was 72.7 degrees, internal rotation was 64. In group I the mean ASES score was 91.1, and the mean OSS was 42.4. In Group II the mean ASES score was 90.8, and the mean OSS was 41.5. There was statistically significant difference in implant cost between both groups with lower cost in the trans-osseous group compared to the single row repair group.

arthroscopic trans-osseous rotator cuff repair achieves comparable results to single row anchor repair with lower cost than single row. For every surgeon, there is a choice based on availability of instrumentation, learning curve, and his preference.