Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: techniques in 2012.

Techniques for arthroscopic partial-thickness and full-thickness RTC repairs continue to advance. When selecting an RTC repair technique, it is important to identify the tear pattern and adhere to the fundamentals of tendon mobilization and footprint preparation. Partial RTC tears greater than 50% in thickness can be reproducibly repaired with tear completion or transtendinous techniques with good clinical outcomes. Based on the available literature, small, less than 1-cm RTC tears can effectively be repaired with single-row techniques. Tears sized 1 cm to 3 cm can be repaired with either single-row, double-row, or transosseous-equivalent techniques based on surgeon comfort, tendon quality, and tissue mobility. Tears greater than 3 cm have shown superior results when transosseous-equivalent techniques are used. Further clinical studies are needed to definitively conclude the ideal RTC repair technique.