Arthroscopic Suture Anchor Research Articles

The Biomechanical Evaluation of Four Fixation Techniques for Proximal Biceps Tenodesis

The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic displacement and ultimate failure strength of 4 proximal biceps tendon tenodesis fixation methods: the open subpectoral bone tunnel (SBT) biceps tenodesis, the arthroscopic suture anchor (SA) tenodesis, the open subpectoral interference screw (SIS) fixation technique, and the arthroscopic interference screw (AIS) technique. Biomechanical experimental control. Twenty fresh-frozen cadaver shoulders were dissected free of soft tissues, leaving the proximal humerus and the proximal biceps tendon as a free graft. Specimens were randomized to 1 of 4 groups with 5 total specimens in each group. A proximal biceps tenodesis was performed according to the techniques listed above. The specimens were mounted for an axial pull of the biceps tendon on a servohydraulic materials testing system with a 100-N load cycled at 1 Hz for 5,000 cycles, followed by an axial load to failure test. Cyclic displacement, ultimate load to failure, and site of failure were recorded for each specimen. The mean cyclic displacement recorded for each experimental group was as follows: SBT group, 9.39 +/- 2.82 mm; AIS group, 5.26 +/- 2.60 mm; SIS group, 1.53 +/- 0.60 mm; and SA group, 3.87 +/- 2.11 mm. The mean ultimate failure loads after 5,000 cycles were as follows: SBT group, 242.4 +/- 51.33 N; AIS group, 237.6 +/- 27.58 N; SIS group, 252.4 +/- 68.63 N; and SA group, 164.8 +/- 37.47 N. Each specimen failed at the tenodesis site. The SBT group showed statistically significant greater displacement than the other tenodesis methods. There were no statistically significant differences in ultimate failure strength between any of the biceps tenodesis methods tested. The data serve as a guide to the surgeon performing a proximal biceps tenodesis in choosing a fixation method.

Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis using suture anchors through the subclavian portal

Abstract Biceps tenodesis is typically performed through an open anterior incision. Even when an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is performed, an open procedure is typically performed to address the biceps rupture or subluxation. Recently, there has been great interest in performing this procedure arthroscopically. Techniques have included using an interference screw or 2 suture anchors through an anterior cannula. If the biceps is partially ruptured or subluxated and the proximal end is still visible in the joint, a biceps tenodesis can be performed using standard arthroscopic techniques and suture anchors. The senior author (K.D.N.) developed the subclavian portal in 1997 for arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears using a pointed suture grasper. This portal is located 1 to 2 cm medial to the acromioclavicular joint line, directly above and slightly medial to the coracoid. It provides an optimal angle for suture anchor placement directly through the anterior supraspinatus or coracohumeral ligament and into the humeral head at the edge of the articular cartilage. Anchors inserted through the subclavian portal reproduce the 45° Deadman’s angle, which was described for placing anchors during rotator cuff repair. Using a burr or shaver through the lateral portal, the articular and bony surface under the biceps tendon and just proximal to the bicipital groove are abraded. Suture anchors are inserted through the subclavian portal, then through the biceps tendon, and into the bone. Sutures are retrieved and tied through the lateral cannula if there is a tear of the supraspinatus. If the supraspinatus is intact, the sutures can be tied intra-articularly through the anterior cannula. Release of the biceps is not performed until the repair is accomplished, which prevents the tendon from retracting down the bicipital groove. The anatomy of the subclavian portal is reviewed and the technique of the arthroscopic biceps tenodesis is presented. Preliminary results of 11 cases with average follow-up of 24 months are presented. Ninety-one percent of the cases had good/excellent results. Adhesive capsulitis occurred in 1 Workers’ Compensation patient, which resulted in a fair outcome.

견관절 불안정성의 관절경적 치료에 있어 Beach chair position의 유용성

Purpose: The purpose was to identify the effectiveness of beach-chair position in the arthroscopic Bankart repair over conventional lateral decubitus position with distal traction. Materials & Methods: 36 arthroscopic Bankart repair through July 2000 to July 2001 was done under beach chair position. All cases were shoulder instability. Male patients were 6 and female were 4 with average age of 25 years. Arthroscopic suture anchor was used in 24 cases and average number was 3. Results: Interscalene block was tried in 29 patients and 1 case was changed to general anesthesia. Arthroscopic examination to identify Bankart lesion and associated pathology was done without difficulty Bankart lesions were easily reduced to anatomic position and placed suture anchor and hooking approprately. After the arthroscopic examination,3 cases were converted to open procedure without any positional change. Conclusion: Under interscalene block, the preparation was more simple and the patient could watch arthroscopic procedure with confidence. There was no hindrance in arthroscopic examination and arthroscopic repair could be dont: in more anatomic position. It can be easily changed to open repair if it needed

Bankart repair in traumatic anterior shoulder instability: Open versus arthroscopic technique

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of open and arthroscopic Bankart repair using suture anchors in traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability. Variables measured were recurrence rate, range of motion, and return to preinjury activity. Type of Study: Case control study. Methods: Eighty-nine shoulders in 88 patients with traumatic unilateral anterior shoulder instability were evaluated using Rowe and University of California Los Angeles scores, recurrence, return to activity, and range of motion by an independent examiner at an average of 39 months after either an arthroscopic or open Bankart repair using suture anchors. The arthroscopic technique included a minimum of 3 anchors in most patients and a routine incorporation of capsular plication and proximal shift. Of the 89 shoulders, 30 shoulders (30 patients) underwent open Bankart repair and 59 shoulders (58 patients) underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair. Results: Twenty-six shoulders (86.6%) in the open repair group showed excellent or good results, and 54 (91.5%) shoulders in the arthroscopic repair group showed excellent or good results. The arthroscopic group revealed slightly higher scores in the Rowe (P = .041) and UCLA scores (P = .026). Two patients (6.7%) in the open repair group and 2 (3.4%) in the arthroscopic repair group had experienced at least 1 episode of redislocation after the surgery. One patient (3.3%) in the open repair group and 4 (6.8%) in the arthroscopic repair group demonstrated mild apprehension. The overall residual instability was 10% in the open repair group and 10.2% in the arthroscopic repair group. There were no significant differences in the loss of external rotation and return to prior activity between the 2 groups (P > .05). Residual instability occurred more frequently in patients with fewer anchors. Conclusions: Arthroscopic suture anchor capsulorraphy showed similar results to the open Bankart procedure.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 7 (September), 2002: pp 755–763

Arthroscopic subscapularis tendon repair: Technique and preliminary results

Purpose: Our objective was to evaluate the preliminary results of 25 consecutive arthroscopic subscapularis tendon repairs. Type of Study: Case series. Methods: All 25 shoulders had longer than 3 months follow-up, with an average of 10.7 months (range, 3 to 48 months). The average age was 60.7 years (range, 41 to 78 years). The average time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 18.9 months (range, 1 to 72 months). The shoulders were evaluated using a modified UCLA score, Napoleon test, lift-off test, radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Indications for surgery included clinical and/or MRI evidence of a rotator cuff tear. An arthroscopic suture anchor technique devised by the senior author (S.S.B.) was used for repair. Results: UCLA scores increased from a preoperative average of 10.7 to a postoperative average of 30.5 (P <.0001). By UCLA criteria, excellent and good results were obtained in 92% of patients, with 1 fair and 1 poor result. Forward flexion increased from an average 96.3° preoperatively to an average 146.1° postoperatively (P =.0016). Eight of 9 patients with a positive Napoleon test had complete tears of the subscapularis. All 7 patients with a negative Napoleon test had a tear of the upper half only. The lift-off test could not be performed reliably due to pain or restricted motion in 19 of the 25 patients. Eight patients had isolated tears of the subscapularis. The remaining 17 patients had associated rotator cuff tears with an average total tear size of 5 × 8 cm. Ten patients had proximal migration of the humerus preoperatively. Eight of these 10 patients had durable reversal of proximal humeral migration following surgery. These 8 patients improved their overhead function from a preoperative “shoulder shrug” with attempted elevation of the arm to functional overhead use of the arm postoperatively. Conclusions: (1) The senior author has been able to consistently perform arthroscopic repair of torn subscapularis tendons, with good and excellent results, in 92% of patients. (2) The Napoleon test is useful in predicting not only the presence of a subscapularis tear, but also its general size. (3) Combined tears of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus tendons are frequently associated with proximal humeral migration and loss of overhead function. Arthroscopic repair of these massive tears can produce durable reversal of proximal humeral migration and restoration of overhead function.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 5 (May-June), 2002: pp 454–463

The relationship of superior labralanteroposterior (SLAP) lesions and pseudolaxity to shoulder injuries in the overhead athlete

Understanding the effect of superior labral lesions on the function of the shoulder is essential to successfullytreating the overhead athlete. Recognizing the pseudolaxity owing to superior labral anteroposterior (SLAP) lesions and the pathological "peel-back" sign is critical in evaluating the injured shoulder in general and repairing the SLAP lesion in particular. The mechanical characteristics of suture anchors are more favorable than tacks in resisting the pathological forces responsible for the peel-back mechanism. The higher success rate of arthroscopic suture anchor repair of SLAP lesions in comparison with open capsulolabral reconstruction suggests that SLAP lesions are the usual cause of the "dead arm" syndrome. In our experience, arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions can return the overhead athlete to their preoperative level of function in the vast majority of cases (87% return to preoperative level for two or more seasons).

Arthroscopic treatment of anterior shoulder instability

Arthroscopic suture anchor repair of anterior instability of the shoulder in the absence of significant bone deficiency can give a very low recurrence rate (4% in the author's series). Significant bone lesions (inverted-pear glenoid or engaging Hill-Sachs) create challenging instability configurations that are not amenable to arthroscopic repair because of high recurrence rates (67% in the author's series). In properly selected patients, arthroscopic suture anchor repair will give results equal to the gold standard open Bankart repair.

Clinical results of arthroscopic suture anchor repair of Bankart lesion for traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder

Clinical results of arthroscopic suture anchor repair of Bankart lesion for traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder