title: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: suture anchor properties, modes of failure and technical considerations.
abstract: Rotator cuff injury and tears are a common source of shoulder pain, particularly among the elderly. Arthroscopic repair has now become the mainstay in the treatment of significant injuries that have failed conservative therapy. Compared with the traditional open technique, arthroscopic repair offers patients smaller incisions and less soft-tissue trauma, which result in improved postoperative pain and rehabilitation. The advances that have made arthroscopic repairs a reality includes improvement in arthroscopic rotator cuff instrumentation, particularly suture anchors. Suture anchors are used to reattach the torn rotator cuff tissue back onto the bone. Current rotator cuff anchors vary by design, anchor composition and suture materials. A treating physician should be aware of the advantages and limitations of these implants, which may influence the choice of one anchor over another. In addition to anchor variables, other factors that may affect the success of the repair include the local environment and surgical technique. In this article, various aspects of anchor design will be discussed. In addition, a concise review of technical considerations will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800159, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. srm4t@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diduch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D053441:Suture Anchors; D014945:Wound Healing