Minimum 15-Year Outcomes and Return to Activity After Linked Tape Bridging Knotless Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repair

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Rotator cuff tears are prevalent in older adults, with double-row repair often preferred for its strength.
• While short- and midterm outcomes of linked tape bridging (LTB) knotless double-row repair are known, long-term data for this technique are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term clinical and functional results of knotless double-row rotator cuff repair using LTB.
• To determine if LTB knotless double-row rotator cuff repair maintains functional outcomes and to evaluate its failure rate beyond 10 years.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series (Level of evidence, 4) of patients undergoing LTB knotless double-row rotator cuff repair.
• Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes (ASES, QuickDASH, SANE, VAS, SF-12) and satisfaction at 5, 10, and 15 years.
• Assessment of return to activity and definition of failure as MRI-confirmed retear or revision surgery.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in ASES, VAS pain, SANE, QuickDASH, and SF-12 PCS scores were maintained from baseline to 15 years.
• High patient satisfaction (median 10) and return to activity rates (94.4% recreational, 88.9% sporting) were observed.
• Overall failure rate was 19.6%, with most occurring after 10 years, indicating a survivorship inflection point.

Conclusions:

• LTB knotless rotator cuff repair demonstrates favorable and sustained long-term outcomes up to 15 years.
• The technique allows patients to maintain a high level of activity.
• A slight decrease in survivorship was noted between the 10- and 15-year follow-up points.