What the study found
Tension-reducing repair for full-thickness rotator cuff tears was associated with better healing and better shoulder function than full footprint covering repair. The study also found that larger tears, more tendon retraction, and delayed active exercise after surgery were linked with repair failure.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that tension-reducing repair may improve healing rates and functional outcomes in full-thickness rotator cuff tears. In their view, this suggests a difference between repair approaches that may be clinically relevant.
What the researchers tested
The researchers retrospectively analyzed 276 patients who had arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from July 2018 to December 2022 and were followed for at least 2 years. They compared full footprint covering repair with two tension-reducing approaches: footprint repositioned medially rotator cuff tears repair and footprint stump preserving rotator cuff tears repair.
What worked and what didn't
No significant differences were seen between groups in pain scores at any time point, or in Sugaya healing grade at 6 and 12 months, which is an MRI-based measure of tendon healing. However, the tension-reducing groups had better Constant-Murley and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores at 6, 12, and 24 months, and better Sugaya grades at 24 months, than the full footprint covering group.
What to keep in mind
This was a retrospective comparative case-control study, so it does not show cause and effect. The abstract does not describe all possible limitations, and the results apply to the patients and surgical techniques included in this study.
Key points
- 276 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included.
- Tension-reducing repair was associated with better healing and function than full footprint covering repair.
- Larger tear size, tendon retraction, and delayed active exercise were associated with repair failure.
- Pain scores did not differ significantly between groups at any measured time point.
- Better shoulder function scores appeared at 6, 12, and 24 months in the tension-reducing groups.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Tension-reducing rotator cuff repair improved healing and function
- Authors:
- Xingxing Li, Qiwei Wang, Quan Zheng, Qiangbing Dou, Liang Zhou, Liangye Sun, Yong Hu
- Institutions:
- Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Lu'an First People's Hospital, Lu'an First People's Hospital, Lu'an First People's Hospital, Lu'an First People's Hospital, Lu'an First People's Hospital, Lu'an First People's Hospital
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-21
- DOI:
- 10.1002/arj.70131
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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