Arthroscopically assisted (mini-open) rotator cuff repair

Arthroscopically assisted (mini-open) rotator cuff repair has been shown to be as effective as traditional open rotator cuff repair for treating small and moderate sized tears. Mini-open technique allows the surgeon to create a secure bone-tendon interface at the repair site. Patients treated with mini-open technique have a shorter hospital stay and are able to begin physical therapy earlier and return to full activities sooner than patients treated with an open rotator cuff repair. We have developed a two-row fixation technique to repair the torn rotator cuff that increases the contact area at the bone-tendon interface. With adequate mobilization of the tom tendon and by utilizing this two-row technique, the arthroscopist can obtain results with small, moderate and large sized rotator cuff tears.