Abstract:We describe an all-suture transosseous repair technique used in the management of rotator cuff tears by means of an all-suture anchor secured on the intra-articular side of the humeral calcar. The technique uses an anterior cruciate ligament guide to ensure accurate positioning of the tunnels, avoiding the articular cartilage and minimizing risk to the neurovascular structures. The distal end of the guide is inserted through a rotator interval portal and passed down to the axillary pouch. The proximal end of the guide is approximated to the greater tuberosity at the cuff footprint, and a complete transosseous tunnel is created with a 2.4-mm drill. An all-suture implant is inserted through this tunnel down to the calcar, and its deployment is visualized under arthroscopy. Gentle traction is applied to the anchor, resulting in a 4-mm concertina of the suture anchor that rests opposed to the medial cortex. The major advantage of this technique is the fixation strength gained from the biomechanically superior cortical bone of the calcar. Furthermore, this method permits greater preservation of bone surface area at the level of the footprint for a larger tendon-to-bone healing surface. This technique also provides an excellent alternative in revision situations. R otator cuff pathology is a common problem, with an incidence of 87 per 100,000 person-years. The highest incidence of this pathology is seen in women and in the age group 55 to 59 years.
Background: Rotator cuff tears are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. All-suture anchors are increasingly being used in the arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears. The purpose of this experimental study is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of all-suture anchors at different insertion sites in the proximal humerus relevant to rotator cuff repairs and the remplissage procedure. Methods: Sixteen cadaveric shoulders were used for the study. Four all-suture anchors were inserted in each proximal humerus at common anchor insertion sites on the rotator cuff footprint and a simulated Hill-Sachs defect. Cyclic loading and load-to-failure tests were undertaken. The number of cycles, load to failure and nature of failure were recorded. Results: The all-suture anchors placed in the cuff footprint using a transosseous technique displayed superior biomechanical properties. Sutures sited in this way demonstrated a maximum tensile load to failure of 542 N as well as a highest mean load to failure and the maximum number of cycles before anchor failure. In descending order, all-suture anchors placed in the lateral footprint were significantly superior to those located in the medial row and in a simulated Hill-Sachs defect. Discussion: Anchors placed in the rotator cuff footprint exceeded the physiological isometric abduction forces for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Data obtained from our study suggest that all-suture anchors are strong enough to be used for the repair of rotator cuff tears.
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