Work

All-suture soft anchors versus metal anchors in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a multicenter randomized clinical trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The study investigates the safety and efficacy of all-suture soft anchors (ASSA) versus metal anchors (MA) in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) through a randomized controlled trial, assessing whether ASSA's advantages - reduced bone loss and simplified deployment - can achieve non-inferior clinical outcomes compared to conventional MA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial at five Chinese tertiary hospitals (Jan-Oct 2022), with final follow-up in December 2023. Eligible patients had small-to-medium full-thickness rotator cuff tears, Ellman III bursal-side tears, or Lafosse I-IV subscapularis tears. Participants were randomized 1:1 to ARCR with ASSA or MA, followed at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. The outcome was included Constant-Murley Score (CMS), American shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) score, visual analog scale (VAS) pain, passive range of motion (PROM), and radiographic assessments (postoperative, 6/12 months). All adverse events were recorded. Finally, 87 patients were randomized (ASSA = 43, MA = 44) and 85 received allocated treatment (42 vs 43). RESULTS: ASSA showed better midterm (6-month) functional recovery ( P = 0.031) and pain reduction ( P = 0.005). There was no difference in ASES, VAS, or adverse events (all P > 0.05). After 12 months, both groups showed improved CMS ( P < 0.001), with no between-group difference ( P = 0.900). No anchor dislocations observed. CONCLUSION: ASSA showed comparable safety and efficacy to MA in ARCR after 12 months of follow-up, with superior improvement in early functional recovery and pain alleviation in midterm (6-month) functional recovery and pain relief, supporting its use as an alternative suture anchor for ARCR.

Source: International Journal of Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000004768