Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using the Opus knotless suture anchor fixation system.

BACKGROUND: The reported failure rate of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair varies widely. The influence of repair technique on failure rates and functional outcomes after arthroscopic cuff repair remains controversial.

PURPOSE: To determine the functional outcome of arthroscopic knotless fixation using the Opus AutoCuff device for rotator cuff repair and to compare our results with those reported in the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using an Opus AutoCuff device (Arthrocare, Sunnydale, California) with greater than 2 years' follow-up. Subjective and objective clinical examinations were performed to include the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) rating scale, the visual analog scale (VAS), and the Tegner Activity Level scale.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 24-35 months). The mean UCLA shoulder score was 33.1 of 35 (SD, 2.89) possible points, and the mean ASES rating scale was 94.2 of 100 (SD, 7.76) compared with a mean preoperative score of 65.7 (P < .001). Postoperative UCLA shoulder scores had 42 of 45 (93.3%) patients with good and excellent results. The mean preoperative ASES pain score was 1.3 (SD, 1.0), and the mean postoperative score was 4.4 (SD, 1.0) (P < .001). The Tegner Activity Level scores demonstrated restoration of function to preinjury status. There were 3 failures (6.3%), 2 by anchor failure (1 with specific trauma), and 1 by rotator cuff retear, all requiring revision surgery.

CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic knotless suture fixation with the Opus AutoCuff device results in good to excellent results similar to those reported in the literature with conventional suture anchors.