Microfracture Combined With Suture Bridge Technique Versus Greenhouse Technique in Treating of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Microfracture Combined With Suture Bridge Technique Versus Greenhouse Technique in the Treatment of Medium-sized Full-thickness Rotator Cuff Injuries: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Several biological augmentation procedures have recently been suggested to enhance tendon healing after Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, such as marrow-stimulating technique with microfractures of the greater tuberosity. The purpose of this study was to introduce a new technique, "greenhouse technique", and to compare the clinical outcomes with microfracture combined with suture bridge technique.

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair has a high rate of successful subjective and functional results. Although the rate of tendon healing is reported to be around 80% for small tears, it can decrease to about 30% for large and massive tears. Poor tissue quality of bone, tendons, and muscles can affect healing and functional recovery of the rotator cuff and has been advocated as a major cause of tendon nonhealing and/or retear. Several biological augmentation procedures have recently been suggested to enhance tendon healing after Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, such as marrow-stimulating technique with microfractures of the greater tuberosity. The purpose of this study was to introduce a new technique, "greenhouse technique", and to compare the clinical outcomes with microfracture combined with suture bridge technique.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Medium-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tear confirmed during shoulder arthroscopy
• Between 20-65 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral rotator cuff tear
• Underwent ipsilateral surgery
• Large-to-massive rotator cuff tear
• Combined with Bankart, SLAP or AC lesion
• Combined with diabetes, smoking, immune disease, osteoporosis, and large nodular cystic degeneration