In vitro biomechanical comparison of three different types of single- and double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs: Analysis of continuous bone-tendon contact pressure and surface during different simulated joint positions

Hypothesis We assessed bone-tendon contact surface and pressure with a continuous and reversible measurement system comparing 3 different double- and single-row techniques of cuff repair with simulation of different joint positions. Materials and methods We reproduced a medium supraspinatus tear in 24 human cadaveric shoulders. For the 12 right shoulders, single-row suture (SRS) and then double-row bridge suture (DRBS) were used. For the 12 left shoulders, DRBS and then double-row cross suture (DRCS) were used. Measurements were performed before, during, and after knot tying and then with different joint positions. Results There was a significant increase in contact surface with the DRBS technique compared with the SRS technique and with the DRCS technique compared with the SRS or DRBS technique. There was a significant increase in contact pressure with the DRBS technique and DRCS technique compared with the SRS technique but no difference between the DRBS technique and DRCS technique. Conclusions The DRCS technique seems to be superior to the DRBS and SRS techniques in terms of bone-tendon contact surface and pressure.