To investigate the efficacy of Southern California Orthopedic Institute single row suturing technique(SCOI Row) in the treatment of medium and large rotator cuff tears.

A retrospective study was conducted in the patients with large and medium-sized rotator cuff tears treated with SCOI Row suture in the joint surgery department of the fifth affiliated hospital of Southern Medical University from June 2018 to August 2018. Medium or large rotator cuff tears were included, and the patients with poor compliance and other injuries were excluded. A total of 26 patients were enrolled, including 10 males and 16 females. The average age was (64±5) years. SCOI ROW technology adopts single row three-line anchor fixation combined with multiple bone marrow pore enlargement around the footprint area. The range of rotator cuff tear measured under preoperative arthroscopy was from two to four centimeters, including supraspinatus tear in nine cases (34.6%), supraspinatus and subscapularis muscle tear in 11 cases (42.4%), supraspinatus, subspascularis muscle tear in three cases (11.5%), supraspinatus and subscapularis muscle tear in three cases (11.5%), supraspinatus and subscapularis muscle tear in three cases (11.5%). Six months after the operation, the rotator cuff healing was evaluated by MRI, the new tissue thickness in the foot print area was measured, and the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), shoulder joint function score (UCLA), and shoulder joint active and passive activity were statistically compared before and six months after the operation. Paired t-test was used to compare data before and six months after surgery.

All the patients were followed up for six to 10 months (7.9±1.6). Before and six months after the surgery, VAS scores were (6.5±1.7) and (2.1±0.8), UCLA scores were (12.7±3.8) and (31.1±1.6). The differences were statistically significant (VAS t=10.225, UCLA t=-3.066, both P <0.05). The average new tissue thickness in the foot print area six months after the operation was (7.08±0.28) mm. At six months after the operation, the activity levels of passive pronation, active pronation, passive abduction, active abduction, passive pronation in the neutral position and active pronation in the neutral position were(162.1±10.5)°, (155.3±38.5)°, (138.2±29.3)°, (130.4±22.4)°, (26.2±8.2)°, (15.3±7.3)°, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before the operation, and the differences were statistically significant (t =-7.913, - 11.263, -8.286, -7.285, -11.734, -4.891, all P <0.05). Six months after the operation, MRI showed that the rotator cuff tear completely healed in 24 cases, and tore again in two cases, with a healing rate of 92.3%.

The rotator cuff tear with SCOI row technique is an effective treatment option with good healing rate, pain relief and it is beneficial for the shoulder function.