The strength of surgical repairs of the rotator cuff. A biomechanical study on cadavers.
Using 26 cadaver shoulders, we produced a standard defect in the supraspinatus tendon and performed one of three types of repair. Their strength was found by testing in tension the force required to produce a gap of 3 mm, then 6 mm, and finally total disruption of the repair. The use of a polyethylene patch to spread the forces over the lateral bone surface and of extra sutures to grasp the tendon end raised by 2.6 times the load at which a 3 mm gap in the repair occurred and by 1.7 times the load to failure.
Sward
L
L
Department of Orthopaedic and Accident Surgery, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, England.
Hughes
J S
JS
Amis
A
A
Wallace
W A
WA
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013718:Tensile Strength
D011095:Polyethylenes