Arthroscopic Versus Mini-open or Open Repair for Rotator Cuff Tear: Powered by OE M.I.N.D. .

Rotator cuff tears remain one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, and surgical repair—whether arthroscopic or mini-open—continues to be central to restoring function. Using OE M.I.N.D., evidence from eight RCTs shows that arthroscopic repair offers modest short-term advantages in pain and function, though these differences are small and fall below thresholds considered clinically meaningful. Longer-term outcomes, including retear rates and adverse events, appear comparable across techniques, and operative time does not differ. With both approaches demonstrating similar safety and overall effectiveness, the choice often comes down to surgeon expertise, patient preference, and the nuances of tear size and tissue quality.