APEX Shoulder Mastering Surgical Techniques for Clinical Success-Double Row RCR: Why and How to do Them

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video presentation, Rob Hartzler from TSAOG Orthopedics and Baylor College of Medicine discusses double row rotator cuff repair. He begins by presenting a case of a 49-year-old woman with a traumatic injury to her shoulder who failed non-operative treatment. He explains the importance of maximizing visualization during rotator cuff repairs and prefers the lateral position for this purpose. He emphasizes the need to remove all soft tissue and expose healthy bone during the repair process. Hartzler also discusses the placement of anchors and sutures, highlighting the importance of maintaining a few millimeters of distance from the musculotendinous junction. He explains that linked double row repairs are biomechanically superior and self-reinforcing. Hartzler mentions that while single row repairs may be suitable for certain tear patterns, linked double row repairs have higher healing rates, particularly in large and massive tears. He concludes by recommending linked double row repairs for large and massive cuff repairs, as well as in cases where healing may be a challenge and motor dysfunction is significant.

Asset Caption

Robert Hartzler, MD

Keywords

rotator cuff repair

double row technique

biomechanical superiority

anchor placement

shoulder injury