Comparing the post-operative clinical and radiological outcome between surgical rotator cuff repair and scaffold augmentation for symptomatic rotator cuff tears in the shoulder

This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) seeks to investigate and compare the post-operative clinical and radiological outcome of either surgical rotator cuff repair (including arthroscopic decompression and take down of the partial thickness rotator cuff tendon tear with a double row surgical repair) versus scaffold augmentation (using the REGENETEN scaffold, including arthroscopic decompression with augmentation of the partial thickness rotator cuff tear with the REGENTEN bioinductive scaffold/implant) for symptomatic partial thickness rotator cuff tears in the shoulder. Therefore, the 'intervention' is the REGENTEN bioinductive scaffold/implant. Surgery in all cases will be undertaken by a qualified shoulder orthopaedic surgeon. There is no addition training required by the surgeon, having experience already with both interventions for some time in a routine clinical setting. Based on current clinical experience, the duration of both surgical procedures is similar and will take 45-60 minutes in duration. While both surgeries are undertaken under a general anaesthetic, atients will be discharged from hospital on the day of (or day after) surgery. This does not differ based on the two surgical interventions, though is more dictated by individual patient progression, tolerance and recovery after the anaesthetic. The appropriate intervention will be ensured in all patients via internal monitoring by the research team, liaising with a specific member of the nursing team that is independent to the research study team and on-site for all surgeries).