Biomechanical evaluation of classic solid and novel all-soft suture anchors for glenoid labral repair.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the biomechanical performance of an all-soft suture anchor (JuggerKnot; Biomet, Warsaw, IN) in comparison with a classic solid suture anchor (2.4-mm biocomposite SutureTak; Arthrex, Naples, FL) in an in vitro labral repair model.


METHODS
We dissected 12 cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 61 ± 9.4 years), leaving the labrum intact, and bone mineral density was obtained (mean, 0.375 ± 0.06 g/cm(3)). Simulated labral tears were made at the anteroinferior and posteroinferior edges of the labrum. Repairs used 2 all-soft suture anchors (JuggerKnot) or 2 solid anchors with free, high-strength No. 2 suture (FiberWire; Arthrex) spanning the operative construct to load the repair. Differential variable reluctance transducers were used to measure labral displacement for each specimen. The testing protocol consisted of a preconditioning phase at 10 N for 10 cycles (1 Hz) and then a final load-to-failure testing at a rate of 3 mm/min. Labral displacement of 2 mm was determined as the primary outcome.


RESULTS
There was no statistical difference (P = .22) in ultimate load to failure and displacement at ultimate failure (anchor pullout) between the all-soft JuggerKnot (146.0 ± 43.0 N and 19.8 ± 5.4 mm, respectively) and the solid SutureTak (171.9 ± 52.6 N and 22.3 ± 6.8 mm, respectively). The solid anchor had a significantly higher ultimate load at 2 mm of labral displacement than the all-soft suture anchor (84.1 ± 19.0 N and 39.2 ± 10.6 N, respectively; P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas both the solid SutureTak and the all-soft JuggerKnot displayed similar results on ultimate load-to-failure testing, the solid anchor required significantly greater load for 2 mm of labral displacement than the all-soft anchor.


CONCLUSIONS
The all-soft anchor (JuggerKnot) is similar in biomechanical performance to the classic solid anchor (SutureTak) with the exception of load at 2 mm of labral displacement, suggesting micromotion of the device.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut 06034, USA. admazzocca@yahoo.com
Augustus D
AD
Mazzocca
David
D
Chowaniec
Mark P
MP
Cote
Joel
J
Fierra
John
J
Apostolakos
Michael
M
Nowak
Robert A
RA
Arciero
Knut
K
Beitzel
D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D061165:Glenoid Cavity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery; D053441:Suture Anchors; D016474:Weight-Bearing