Effect of cyclic loading on new polyblend suture coupled with different anchors.
BACKGROUND
Secure tendon-to-bone fixation is essential for successful rotator cuff repair. Biomechanical properties of devices used in rotator cuff repair should be better understood.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the response to incremental cyclic loading of 6 different anchor-suture complexes commonly used in rotator cuff repair.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Two absorbable anchors 5 mm and 6.5 mm in diameter and 1 metallic anchor, coupled with Ethibond or FiberWire, were tested on 5 pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders. An incremental cyclic load was applied until failure using a Zwich-Roell Z010 electromechanical testing machine. The ultimate failure load and mode of failure were recorded. An analysis of variance model was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The FiberWire suture coupled with both absorbable and metallic anchors provided statistically significantly stronger fixation. However, although the metallic anchors in most cases failed because of slippage of the anchor, absorbable anchors failed because of rupture of the eyelet.


CONCLUSIONS
The FiberWire seems to increase the strength of fixation devices under cyclic load using both absorbable and metallic anchors, with relevant differences in failure mode (slippage of the metallic anchor and eyelet failure in the absorbable anchor).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the FiberWire suture might change the mode of failure of the suture-anchor complexes.
De Carli
Angelo
A
St. Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Vadalà
Antonio
A
Monaco
Edoardo
E
Labianca
Luca
L
Zanzotto
Edoardo
E
Ferretti
Andrea
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013537:Sutures