Clinical outcomes of single versus double row, transosseous equivalent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

Rotator cuff tears are common and are expected to present with increasing frequency as the population ages. Various techniques in surgical repair have been described to improve clinical outcomes. A arthroscopic transosseous-equivalent double row repair is believed to be superior, with improved tendon to bone contact area and reduced gap formation. In our series of 143 patients, with 76 undergoing single row repair, and 67 double row repairs by a single surgeon, we describe the observed clinical improvements and complication rates. Though surgical times were not significantly different, no significant advantage from double row repairs were observed with regards to clinical outcome measures.