Biomechanical evaluation of a new technique for rotator cuff repair.
BACKGROUND
In recent studies, investigators have used a cyclic loading model to investigate the efficacy of rotator cuff fixation modalities.


OBJECTIVE
A bioabsorbable poly-D-lactic acid screw and toothed washer implant will provide more stable fixation of rotator cuff repairs than standard suture anchor techniques.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Forty bovine shoulders (ages 3 to 6 months) had 1 x 2 cm defects created in the infraspinatus tendon. There were five repair groups (eight specimens per group) consisting of either two screw and washer implants or two suture anchors. Four suture techniques were tested: single-loaded anchors with simple sutures, double-loaded anchors with simple sutures, single-loaded anchors with horizontal mattress sutures, or single-loaded anchors with modified Mason-Allen sutures. Repairs were loaded at 5-second cycles from 10 to 180 N with use of a hydraulic testing machine. The number of cycles to gap formation of 5 and 10 mm was recorded.


RESULTS
Gap formation of 5 and 10 mm occurred significantly later for the screw repair group than for any of the suture anchor groups. There was no significant difference between suture groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The bioabsorbable screw and washer provided more stable fixation than suture anchor techniques under isometric cyclic loading conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a time-zero study of implant performance. The results indicate that the implant may decrease clinical failures in the early postoperative period under standard rehabilitation protocols.
Petit
Charles J
CJ
Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Center, Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA.
Boswell
Robert
R
Mahar
Andrew
A
Tasto
James
J
Pedowitz
Robert A
RA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002417:Cattle; D016268:Internal Fixators; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013536:Suture Techniques