Comparative Analysis of Re-tear Rates Following Rotator Cuff Repair: Knotless SpeedBridge with Suture Tapes versus Traditional Repair Methods—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ramkinkar Jha, Raman Kant Aggarwal, Chantelle Aftab, Mohd Irfan BandayAbstract
Background:
Rotator cuff tears represent a frequent cause of shoulder dysfunction, with re-tear rates after surgical repair ranging from 20% to 94%. The knotless SpeedBridge technique utilising suture tapes may improve repair integrity through enhanced tendon compression and elimination of knot-related complications compared to traditional methods.
Purpose:
To systematically compare imaging-confirmed re-tear rates between SpeedBridge and traditional rotator cuff repair methods through a comprehensive meta-analysis.
Materials and Methods:
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, systematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus were conducted through January 2024. Randomised controlled trials and observational comparative studies examining primary full-thickness rotator cuff repairs with ≥12 months imaging follow-up were included. Pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. The study quality was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for observational studies.
Results:
Sixteen studies comprising 1492 patients (5 RCTs and 11 observational) met inclusion criteria. SpeedBridge repairs demonstrated significantly lower re-tear rates compared to traditional methods (RR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.52–0.79,
Conclusions:
The Knotless SpeedBridge technique significantly reduces re-tear risk by 36% compared to traditional repairs, with greatest benefits in large and massive tears. These findings support the use of SpeedBridge as the preferred technique for complex rotator cuff reconstructions.