Modes of failure of knotted and knotless suture anchors in an arthroscopic bankart repair model with the capsulolabral tissues intact

Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2011 Mar;40(3):134-8.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess failure modes of knotless and knotted anchors in a Bankart repair model with the capsulolabral soft tissues intact. Previous reports used a model stripped of soft tissues. In 8 matched pairs of cadaver shoulders, a Bankart lesion was repaired arthroscopically using either 2 Bio-SutureTak anchors (Arthrex, Naples, Florida) or 2 Bioknotless anchors (Mitek, Westwood, Massachusetts). The shoulders were mounted with the repaired capsulolabral tissues attached to a custom sinusoidal clamp, and were tested in cyclic loading (20-80 N, 100 cycles, 0.5 mm/s) and then load to failure (1.25 mm/s). Cut-through at the suture-tissue interface (23/32 anchors) was more common than pullout at the anchor-bone interface (9/32) as a mode of failure (P = .02). Failure at the suture-tissue interface occurred in 10/16 knotted and 13/16 knotless anchors. Mean (SD) ultimate load of knotted vs knotless anchors was 125.3 (67.4) N and 96.9 (95.1) N, respectively. Mean (SD) stiffness of knotted vs knotless anchors was 20.9 (6.4) N/mm and 19.8 (8.6)N/mm, respectively. We concluded that both knotted and knotless anchors fail most often at the suture-tissue interface. The tested model with the capsulolabral tissues intact is distinct from previous models, which tested the anchor-bone interface only.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthroscopy / instrumentation*
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Cadaver
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / surgery
  • Male
  • Pliability
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Shoulder Dislocation / physiopathology
  • Shoulder Dislocation / surgery*
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Shoulder Joint / surgery*
  • Suture Anchors*
  • Suture Techniques / instrumentation*