Biomechanical comparison of a single-row versus double-row suture anchor technique for rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Reestablishment of the native footprint during rotator cuff repair has been suggested as an important criterion for optimizing healing potential and fixation strength.

HYPOTHESIS: A double-row rotator cuff footprint repair will demonstrate superior biomechanical properties compared with a single-row repair.

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS: In 9 matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders, the supraspinatus tendon from 1 shoulder was repaired with a double-row suture anchor technique: 2 medial anchors with horizontal mattress sutures and 2 lateral anchors with simple sutures. The tendon from the contralateral shoulder was repaired using a single lateral row of 2 anchors with simple sutures. Each specimen underwent cyclic loading from 10 to 180 N for 200 cycles, followed by tensile testing to failure. Gap formation and strain over the footprint area were measured using a video digitizing system; stiffness and failure load were determined from testing machine data.

RESULTS: Gap formation for the double-row repair was significantly smaller (P < .05) when compared with the single-row repair for the first cycle (1.67 +/- 0.75 mm vs 3.10 +/- 1.67 mm, respectively) and the last cycle (3.58 +/- 2.59 mm vs 7.64 +/- 3.74 mm, respectively). The initial strain over the footprint area for the double-row repair was nearly one third (P < .05) the strain of the single-row repair. Adding a medial row of anchors increased the stiffness of the repair by 46% and the ultimate failure load by 48% (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: Footprint reconstruction of the rotator cuff using a double-row repair improved initial strength and stiffness and decreased gap formation and strain over the footprint when compared with a single-row repair.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To achieve maximal initial fixation strength and minimal gap formation for rotator cuff repair, reconstructing the footprint attachment with 2 rows of suture anchors should be considered.