ABSTRACT
The technique of arthroscopic repair has progressed significantly over the past few years largely due to improved suture anchor design and suture passing instrumentation. These elements, combined with more available knowledge regarding arthroscopic repairs and a broader educational system, allow arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs to no longer be a cutting edge procedure, but an approach used by many orthopedists. Recent literature has transitioned from arthroscopic assisted mini-open rotator cuff-repair technique to an all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (1-3). The major focus has been to develop surgical strategy allowing orthopedists to gradually change from a mini-open approach that was arthroscopically assisted, to an allarthroscopic approach incorporating techniques used in traditional-or mini-open procedures. The advantages of arthroscopic repairs have been widely publicized including less postoperative pain, theoretically easier rehabilitation, and decreased postoperative stiffness. Indications for all arthroscopic repair have evolved secondary to the improved technical considerations. Arthroscopic methods have improved in terms of mobilization of the tendons, ability to place sutures within the tendon, and surgical technique. Double-row fixation and modified suture-passing techniques such as the modified Mason Allen and the Mac stitch have allowed for arthroscopic indications to include larger, complex tears.
