Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Volume 25, Issue 10 , Pages 1085-1092, October 2009

Biomechanical Comparison of Knotless Anchor Repair Versus Simple Suture Repair for Type II SLAP Lesions

  • Christopher Uggen, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Anthony Wei, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Ronald E. Glousman, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Neal ElAttrache, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • James E. Tibone, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Michelle H. McGarry, M.S.

      Affiliations

    • Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Long Beach VA Healthcare System, Long Beach, U.S.A.
    • University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Thay Q. Lee, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Long Beach VA Healthcare System, Long Beach, U.S.A.
    • University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, U.S.A.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to Thay Q. Lee, Ph.D., Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Long Beach VA Healthcare System (09/151), 5901 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90822, U.S.A.

Received 11 September 2008; accepted 23 March 2009. published online 24 August 2009.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate glenohumeral motion after knotless anchor repair of type II SLAP lesions versus repair with simple suture arthroscopic knot-tying techniques and to compare the initial fixation strength of the 2 repair techniques.

Methods

Six matched-pair cadaveric shoulders were tested in an uninjured condition, after creation of a type II SLAP tear, and after repair with either a knotless repair with two 3.5-mm Bio-PushLock anchors (Arthrex, Naples, FL) or a simple suture repair with two 3.0-mm Bio-SutureTak anchors (Arthrex) placed anterior and posterior to the biceps tendon. Glenohumeral rotation, translation, and kinematics were measured. The SLAP repairs were then loaded to failure perpendicular to the glenoid face.

Results

Glenohumeral rotation increased after creation of a type II SLAP lesion and was restored to the intact state after both repairs. There was no significant difference in glenohumeral translation or kinematics with SLAP lesion or either repair technique. There was no significant difference between stiffness, yield load, or ultimate load of the 2 repairs. Simple suture repairs failed most commonly by knot breakage, and knotless repairs failed by suture slippage around the anchor.

Conclusions

Knotless anchor repairs of type II SLAP lesions restore glenohumeral rotation as well as simple suture arthroscopic repair techniques without overconstraining the shoulder. In addition, the initial fixation strength of knotless anchor repairs of type II SLAP lesions is similar to that of simple suture repairs.

Clinical Relevance

Knotless anchor repairs of type II SLAP lesions restore capsulolabral anatomy without overconstraining the shoulder.

Key Words: SLAP lesion, Labrum, PushLock, Knotless, Biomechanics

 

 Cadavers, anchors, and arthroscopic instruments provided by Arthrex, Naples, Florida. N.E. and J.E.T. are consultants for Arthrex.

PII: S0749-8063(09)00337-5

doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2009.03.022

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
Volume 25, Issue 10 , Pages 1085-1092, October 2009