Arthroscopic Repair Of Partial Thickness Articular Side Rotator Cuff Tears Using Transtendon Versus Conversion Repair Techniques

Arthroscopic Repair Of Partial Thickness Articular Side Rotator Cuff Tears Using Transtendon Versus Conversion Repair Techniques

This study aims to compare the functional results of patients who underwent two different arthroscopic methods for the management of articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs).

The present study aims to compare the functional results following the repair of PT-RCTs using the conversion versus the trastendon techniques

This is a prospective randomized study carried out at a tertiary trauma center between October 2022 and June 2023. The research ethical Committee authorized this study protocol [(Institutional Review Board (IRB) number: N-383-2023)], and all participants signed an informed consent prior to joining the study. This study included 50 patients with PT-RCTs who underwent arthroscopic repair using either the conversion technique (25 patients) in group A or the transtendon technique (25 patients) in group B. The random assignment of all patients to enter either group was computerized using simple randomization.

The inclusion criteria were:

• Patients suffering symptomatic PT-RCTs exceeding 50% of the tendon thickness, documented by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by arthroscopy intraoperative.
• Failure of nonoperative management for at least 3 months.

The exclusion criteria were:

• Prior shoulder surgery.
• Severe concomitant pathologies including glenohumeral arthritis, advanced subscapularis tear, and biceps tendon rupture.
• Associated Bankart lesion.
• Patients with uncontrolled Diabetes mellites.