Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Repair: Single vs Double Row

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of upper extremity pain and dysfunction. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the preoperative assessment of patients with rotator cuff tears, including history, physical examination, and imaging of the shoulder. Its emphasis is to outline both the single-row and double-row arthroscopic rotator cuff repair techniques. Although there is no universally accepted best technique for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, a surgeon’s experience, patient’ expectation, and technical considerations—including available equipment, tissue quality, and the size of the tear—are key to the success of the repair. At the conclusion of the article, the general principles of postoperative rehabilitation are briefly discussed.