Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Suture Anchor Configurations for Repair of Type II SLAP Lesions

Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Suture Anchor Configurations for Repair of Type II SLAP Lesions

Authors: Domb BG, Ehteshami JR, Shindle MK, Gulotta L, Zoghi-Moghadam M, MacGillivray JD, Altchek DW

DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2006.10.018

Purpose

To evaluate the biomechanical strength of three suture anchor configurations used to repair type II SLAP lesions.

Methods

Cadaveric shoulders with standardized SLAP tears underwent repair with:

1. One simple suture anterior to the biceps anchor,
2. Two simple sutures (anterior and posterior),
3. One mattress suture through the biceps anchor.
   Repairs were tested for cyclic loading endurance and ultimate load to failure.

Key Findings

• Mattress suture repair demonstrated the highest load to strain failure and ultimate failure load.
• Two simple sutures performed well but were biomechanically inferior to the mattress configuration.
• Single simple suture repairs were the weakest in all testing metrics.

Conclusion

Mattress suture anchor repairs offer superior biomechanical strength and resistance to failure in type II SLAP lesion repair.

What Does This Mean for Providers?

For SLAP repairs, employing mattress suture configurations may improve repair durability and reduce failure risk, potentially enhancing rehabilitation success and return-to-sport outcomes.