Why the study?
Does suture anchor insertion angle affect pull-out strength in rotator cuff repair?
Does suture anchor insertion angle affect pull-out strength in rotator cuff repair?
In vitro biomechanical data does not support previous recommendations to insert suture anchors at angles ≤45 degrees to improve pull-out strength.
Anchor pull-out strength unaffected by insertion angle; challenges prior ≤45° recommendations but leaves optimal technique open.
Twelve matched pairs of humerii were instrumented with suture anchor at 90 degrees, 75 degrees, 45 degrees, and 30 degrees relative to the cortical border at the junction of the greater tuberosity and articular surface. Two fixtures were inserted into each specimen at different angles and loaded to failure. Suture anchors failed at an average of 171, 219, 169, and 192 N with 90 degrees, 75 degrees, 45 degrees, and 30 degrees insertion angles, respectively. No statistical difference was detected between groups (P=.08). Although previous authors have prescribed angles < or =45 degrees to improve pull-out strength, the current in vitro data does not support these recommendations.
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Liporace et al. (2002) studied this question.
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