Medialization of medial row anchor via the Nevasier portal yield enhanced footprint and outcomes in medium-to-large rotator cuff tears.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of medial row anchor insertion between 90° or 45° (deadman) angle in the suture-bridge rotator cuff repair of medium-to-large rotator cuff tears.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 113 consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic suture-bridge repair for medium-to-large rotator cuff tears (mean tear size: 2.8 × 2.3 cm) between 2010 and 2013. The patients were divided into two groups: group I (53 patients) and group II (60 patients) involving 90° and 45° medial row anchors, respectively. The conventional lateral row anchors were inserted in the suture-bridge repair. The clinical outcomes at 2 years and radiological outcomes including re-tear or footprint coverage (anteroposterior length and mediolateral width) of the repaired tendon using postoperative MRI were evaluated.

RESULTS

Clinical outcome scores were significantly improved in both groups. However, Group I (90° anchor insertion group) showed better clinical scores without the difference of range of motion. The postoperative MRI revealed enlarged footprint coverage with 90° medial row anchor. The repaired footprint cuff size (mediolateral width) in the coronal plane MRI showed a statistically significant difference (45°: 19 mm vs. 90°: 24 mm) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced clinical outcomes and additional anatomical footprint coverage (coronal width of repaired tendon) in the suture-bridge repair are obtained with the 90° medial row anchors compared with the 45° medial row anchors. These findings would guide clinical application of 90° medial row anchor insertion for further medialization in the medium-to-large rotator cuff tears.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (retrospective comparative trial).