Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: clinical outcome of 607 patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of rotator cuff tendon tears treated by arthroscopic repair with suture anchors. This prospective study included a cohort of 607 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. Most patients had a single-row type of repair using metal anchors. All patients were independently assessed pre- and post-operatively utilizing the UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) scoring system with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. Demographic and operative details were noted; including the patient age, workers compensation status, tear size, type of repair performed, and concomitant procedures. The median UCLA score improved from 13 (0-28) to 35 (8-35) with a median follow-up time of 46 months (12-105), P < 0.001. The majority of the patients (529) achieved good to excellent results. The results were found to be independent of age, workers compensation status, tear size, type of repair performed and concomitant procedures. In conclusion, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, using metal anchors with dual sutures, in a single row, utilizing margin convergence sutures and performing concomitant procedures when necessary, gave satisfactory results in 87% of patients.