Magnetic resonance imaging tendon integrity assessment after arthroscopic partial-thickness rotator cuff repair.

Purpose: Our goal was to assess the integrity of the repaired rotator cuff in patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears who underwent a technique of tear completion followed by surgical repair, using post-repair magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a minimum of 2 years' follow-up.

Methods: An all-arthroscopic surgical technique was used for these marked partial-thickness tears, by use of double-loaded footprint anchors and/or lateral sutures or anchors as appropriate for tissue quality. A total of 22 patients who had completion of the tear followed by repair were reimaged with 2-sequence noncontrast MRI to determine the integrity of the rotator cuff repair at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.