Editorial Commentary: Can We Do Better While Spending Less: How Many Shoulder Rotator Cuff Anchors Are Enough?

Abstract

We have published that shoulder rotator cuff tear is a highly cost-effective procedure, and to continue to improve value, a goal is to contain cost while maintaining or improving outcome. To bend the cost curve, reduction in direct costs (number of suture anchors used) could be a goal, and because rotator cuff repair failures are as much biologic as they are mechanical, the effect of adding anchors to improve outcomes has an obvious limit.