Abstract
BackgroundAnchors are frequently used in reconstructive orthopedic surgery to achieve fixation of soft tissue to bone. Anchors vary with respect to material composition, configuration, and methods of fixation at the site of attachment. The fixation component of anchoring devices has generally evolved from metal-fabricated implants to various types of bioresorbable anchors. The SonicAnchorTM (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI USA) polymer implant provides a unique form of anchor fixation using SonicFusionTM technology to achieve interdigitation within cancellous bone while being radiolucent and providing a small footprint.MethodsDuring a four-year period, 116 patients underwent a reconstructive orthopedic foot and ankle surgical procedure with the use of at least one bioresorbable polymer anchor (SonicAnchor implant). There were 59 males and 57 females, with an average age of 42 years (range: 12-83 years).ResultsA total of 233 bioresorbable anchor (SonicAnchor) implants were used in 116 patients. Of the 116 patients, 108 (93.1%) achieved successful clinical healing of their surgery at their most recent follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 309 days (range: 14-1,429 days). Eight (6.9%) patients were lost to follow-up prior to clinical healing. Two (1.7%) patients underwent reoperation. Also, 65 (56%) patients had at least six months of follow-up and 36 (31%) had at least one year of follow-up.ConclusionsThis preliminary clinical trial of patients undergoing soft tissue repair or reconstruction with a bioresorbable polymer appears to perform comparably to other commercially available devices. The lack of adverse events, mechanical failures, or infections further supports the safety of this device.
Highlights
The quality of fixation of tendon or ligament to bone is a crucial consideration when selecting surgical anchors to perform soft tissue repair or reconstruction for musculoskeletal injuries [1]
A total of 233 bioresorbable anchor (SonicAnchor) implants were used in 116 patients
A bioresorbable polymer composed of poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) was used to fabricate a biopolymer anchor with potential for enhanced fixation to cancellous bone (SonicAnchorTM, Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA)
Summary
The quality of fixation of tendon or ligament to bone is a crucial consideration when selecting surgical anchors to perform soft tissue repair or reconstruction for musculoskeletal injuries [1]. A bioresorbable polymer composed of poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) was used to fabricate a biopolymer anchor with potential for enhanced fixation to cancellous bone (SonicAnchorTM, Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA). This soft tissue anchor utilizes controlled ultrasonic energy (SonicFusionTM, Stryker) technology to “liquefy” the polymer anchor after an initial unicortical pilot hole has been drilled. Recent biomechanical investigations have demonstrated enhanced strength of fixation to bone using this technology compared to popular, commercially available implants [19,20,21]. The SonicAnchorTM (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI USA) polymer implant provides a unique form of anchor fixation using SonicFusionTM technology to achieve interdigitation within cancellous bone while being radiolucent and providing a small footprint
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