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Comparison between single-row and double-row rotator cuff repair: a biomechanical study

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical behavior under cyclic loading test of single-row and double-row rotator cuff repair with suture anchors in an ex-vivo animal model. For the present study, 50 fresh porcine shoulders were used. On each shoulder, a crescent-shaped full-thickness tear of the infraspinatus was performed. Width of the tendon tear was 2 cm. The lesion was repaired using metal suture anchors. Shoulders were divided in four groups, according the type of repair: single-row tension-free repair (Group 1); single-row tension repair (Group 2); double-row tension-free repair (Group 3); double-row tension repair (Group 4); and a control group. Specimens were subjected to a cyclic loading test. Number of cycles at 5 mm of elongation and at failure, and total elongation were calculated. Single-row tension repair showed significantly poorest results for all the variables considered, when compared with the other groups. Regarding the mean number of cycles at 5 mm of elongation and at failure, there was a nonsignificant difference between Groups 3 and 4, and both of them were significantly greater than Group 1. For mean total elongation, the difference between Groups 1, 3, and 4 was not significant, but all of them were significantly lower than the control group. A single-row repair is particularly weak when performed under tension. Double-row repair is significantly more resistant to cyclic displacement than single-row repair in both tension-free and tension repair. Double-row repair technique can be primarily considered for large, unstable rotator cuff tears to improve mechanical strength of primary fixation of tendons to bone.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Milano, Laura Deriu, Mario Cillo & Carlo Fabbriciani

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Villa Valeria Clinic, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Grasso

  3. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

    Donatella Zarelli

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  1. Giuseppe Milano
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  2. Andrea Grasso
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  3. Donatella Zarelli
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  4. Laura Deriu
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  5. Mario Cillo
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  6. Carlo Fabbriciani
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Milano.

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Milano, G., Grasso, A., Zarelli, D. et al. Comparison between single-row and double-row rotator cuff repair: a biomechanical study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 16, 75–80 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0382-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0382-0

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