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
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 24, 2009
Accepted:
March 23,
2009
Received:
September 11,
2008
Footnotes
Cadavers, anchors, and arthroscopic instruments provided by Arthrex, Naples, Florida. N.E. and J.E.T. are consultants for Arthrex.
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
