A biomechanical analysis of capsular plication versus anchor repair of the shoulder: can the labrum be used as a suture anchor?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the biomechanical strength properties of suture capsulolabral plication to an intact labrum versus glenoid bone anchor fixation.


METHODS
Fourteen paired fresh frozen shoulders with intact glenoid labrum and mean age of 43.3 +/- 11.1 were randomized to capsular plication in the anteroinferior and posteroinferior quadrants using either two suture-anchor fixation versus suture fixation to an intact labrum. The construct was then preconditioned at 10 N for 10 cycles (1 Hz), and then loaded to failure at 3 mm per minute.


RESULTS
There was no statistical difference in ultimate load to failure between the suture anchor (304.3 +/- 92.8 N) and the intact labrum (285.6 +/- 66.7 N) groups. The suture anchor group demonstrated significantly less mean displacement (2.15 +/- 1.1 mm) than suture plication (3.43 +/- 1.38 mm; P = .007) at failure. There were no statistical differences of labrum strength and stiffness between the anteroinferior and posteroinferior quadrants.


CONCLUSIONS
An intact labrum provides similar fixation strength to a glenoid anchor; however, the labrum displacement was higher with plication alone. There were no strength differences between the anteroinferior and posteroinferior labrum. However, displacement of up to 1.5 mm may be expected without the use of glenoid anchors.


CONCLUSIONS
The intact posteroinferior or anteroinferior labrum provides similar fixation strength to a glenoid anchor; however, the labrum displacement is higher versus plication alone.
Provencher
Matthew T
MT
Division of Shoulder and Sports Surgery, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. mattprovencher@earthlink.net
Verma
Nikhil
N
Obopilwe
Elifho
E
Rincon
Lina M
LM
Tracy
Jeremiah
J
Romeo
Anthony A
AA
Mazzocca
Augustus
A
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome