Prospective comparison of MRI-assessed rotator cuff integrity and functional outcomes at one year in 40 patients after arthroscopic repair versus 32 patients after open repair, asking whether the two techniques differ in maintaining structural integrity across different tear sizes.
When counseling patients on repair approach, tear size is your decision point: for tears under 3 cm, arthroscopic repair achieves equivalent or better structural integrity; for tears over 3 cm, open repair cuts the retear rate by more than half, and structural failure in this setting translates directly into measurable strength deficits.
Prospective comparison of MRI-assessed rotator cuff integrity and functional outcomes at one year in 40 patients after arthroscopic repair versus 32 patients after open repair, asking whether the two techniques differ in maintaining structural integrity across different tear sizes.
When counseling patients on repair approach, tear size is your decision point: for tears under 3 cm, arthroscopic repair achieves equivalent or better structural integrity; for tears over 3 cm, open repair cuts the retear rate by more than half, and structural failure in this setting translates directly into measurable strength deficits.