[Repair of rotator cuff tear by allogenic cortical bone anchor with suture bridge].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repair of rotator cuff tear by allogenic cortical bone anchors with the technique of suture bridge.

METHODS: A total of 18 patients with rotator cuff tear were recruited during the period of June 2006 to June 2009. There were 7 males and 11 females with an average age of 45.2 years old (range: 34 - 65). The locations included left shoulder (n = 11) and right shoulder (n = 7). Rotator cuff tear was repaired by allogenic cortical bone anchors with the technique of suture bridge under arthroscopy. The efficacy was evaluated by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) standard score.

RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 17.6 months (range: 12 - 36). The excellent rate of treatment was 100%. All rotator cuff tears were healed. Only 2 cases had minor pain and there was no limitation of joint activity. The bone anchor fully integrated with the subject area at Month 3 post-operation.

CONCLUSION: The advantages of repairing rotator cuff tear by allograft cortical bone anchors with the technique of suture bridge includes minimal trauma, a large tendon bone area, firm fixation and a low cost. It is a better approach of repairing rotator cuff tear.