Retears of the rotator cuff, following operative repair, is not an uncommon event. Various factors have been shown to influence recurrence including the technique of repair. Multiple techniques have been performed with varying results and complications. The repair technique significantly affects the rate and pattern of retears. Although risk of retears with double row and suture bridge techniques is relatively low, medial cuff failure is a potential complication which poses significant challenges when revision repair is undertaken. Modifications in surgical techniques in, both, double row and suture bridge repairs can help decrease the risk of medial cuff failure. Thorough analysis of retear rates and patterns reported, and their relation with the repair technique, provides new insights about the pathogenesis of rotator cuff retears, their future prevention and appropriate management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.