Introduction. This study was performed prospectively and randomly to compare clinical outcomes of modified-Brostrom procedure using single and double suture anchor for chronic lateral ankle instability. Material & Methods. Forty patients were followed up for more than 2 years after modified-Brostrom procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability. Twenty modified-Brostrom procedures with single suture anchor and 20 procedures with double suture anchor randomly assigned were performed by one surgeon. The mean age was 30.6 years, and the mean follow-up period was 2.6 years. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the Karlsson scale and Sefton grading system. The measurement of talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation was performed through anterior and varus stress radiographs. Results. At the last follow-up, the Karlsson scale had improved significantly from preoperative average 45.4 points to 90.5 points in single suture anchor group, from 46.2 points to 91.3 points in double suture anchor group. There were 8 excellent, 10 good, and 2 fair results according to the Sefton grading system in single anchor group, and 9 excellent, 8 good, 3 fair results in double anchor group. Therefore, 18 cases (90%) in single anchor group and 17 cases (85%) in double anchor group achieved satisfactory results. Talar tilt angle had improved significantly from preoperative average 15.7° to 6.1° in single anchor group, from 16.8° to 4.2° in double anchor group. There was significant difference in postoperative talar tilt angle between single and double anchor group. Conclusion. Significant differences in clinical and functional outcomes were not found between single and double suture anchor technique. On stress radiographs for evaluation of mechanical stability, modified-Brostrom procedure using double anchor showed less talar tilt angle than single anchor technique

Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results after arthroscopic reconstruction of isolated SSP lesions. Does double row repair in smaller lesions lead to better results and a lower retear rate?. Method. 80 patients with an isolated full thickness SSP tear were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (27 men, 13 Frauen, average age 57 y.) was repaired using a single row technique with 2 anchors (Mitek Fastin) with arthroscopic Mason-Allen stiches. Group 2 was repaired using a double row technique using 1 medial anchor (Mitek Fastin) and 2 lateral anchors (Versalok). PreOP an ultrasound and MRI was obtained as well as standard x-rays (a.p., outlet-view, transaxial). Included to this study were only patients matching the following criteria: intraoperative cartilage lesions ≤ Outerbridge Grade2, fatty degeneration ≤ Goutallier Grade 2, ap extent of the tear < 2,5 cm. Prospective follow up after 6, 12 and 24 months using UCLA and Constant Score as well as MRI at last follow up. Results. 37 patients in group 1 and 36 patients in group 2 were completely evaluated. Both groups showed improvement in Constant Score from 49,3 to 89,4 in group 1 (single row) compared to 47,6 and 90,7 in group 2 (Double Row). MRI at last follow up showed 4 retears in the single row group and 3 retears in the double row group. 1 shoulder in the double row group needed revision due to a loose anchor. Discussion. We could not find any significant difference between clinical results and retear rate using a single or double row suture anchor configuration in isolated full thickness SSP tears

Summary. Strong mechanical fixation is critical to the success of rotator cuff repairs. In this comparative study in cadaveric shoulders, single-tendon full-thickness supraspinatus tears were repaired using two different types of PEEK knotless suture anchors-ReelX STT (Stryker) and Opus Magnum PI (Arthrocare)-using a single-row technique in both instances. Cyclic testing was performed followed by loading until mechanical failure. No significant difference was observed in gap formation, measured as the distance between the supraspinatus tendon and bone at the repair site, during cyclic loading. However, the maximum load was statistically higher for repairs with the ReelX anchor. Purpose. The objective of this study was to compare the gap formation during cyclic loading and maximum repair strength of single-row full thickness supraspinatus repairs performed using two different types of PEEK knotless suture anchors in a cadaveric model. Methods. Nine matched pairs of cadaveric shoulders were used in this study. All soft tissue was removed except for the supraspinatus, and a full thickness tear was formed. Single-row repairs were performed with two anchors per repair using either the Opus Magnum PI (Arthrocare) or the ReelX STT (Stryker). The specimens were mounted to an Instron at 45° to simulate an anatomic direction of load, and fiducial markers were placed on the repair in anterior and posterior positions. A 10 N preload was applied and held for 60 seconds, and then the tendon was cycled from 10 N to 90 N at 0.25 Hz for 500 cycles, followed by load to failure at 1 mm/s. A video digitizing system was used to track the markers and measure gap formation during loading. Gap formation was calculated by subtracting the distance between the markers at 10 N preload from the maximum displacement at 5 and 500 cycles. Paired t-tests were used to compare the cyclic displacement and max load. Results. One specimen from each of two matched pairs (one from each anchor group) failed during cyclic loading, leaving seven matched pairs for analysis. No significant difference was found in cyclic displacement between the two groups in either anterior or posterior positions at 5 and 500 cycles. However, maximum load to failure was significantly greater for repairs performed with the ReelX STT anchors (289N ± 57N) as compared to the OPUS anchors (178N ± 36N), with a p=0.009. Conclusions. These results suggest that the anchor type chosen for cuff repairs may affect the overall stability of the repair. Achieving stable fixation is critical for promoting healing of the tendon back to bone and to the long-term success of the repair, and using anchors that provide stronger fixation may decrease the occurrence of post-surgical tears and instability. The ReelX STT anchor outperformed the Opus Magnum PI anchor in terms of supporting significantly higher loads before failure, potentially leading to stronger repairs clinically

Aims

There is a lack of long-term data for minimally invasive acromioclavicular (AC) joint repair. Furthermore, it is not clear if good early clinical results can be maintained over time. The purpose of this study was to report long-term results of minimally invasive AC joint reconstruction (MINAR) and compare it to corresponding short-term data.

In Neer type II (Robinson type 3B) fractures of the distal clavicle the medial fragment is detached from the coracoclavicular ligaments and displaced upwards, whereas the lateral fragment, which is usually small, maintains its position. Several fixation techniques have been suggested to treat this fracture. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with type II distal clavicle fractures treated with coracoclavicular suture fixation using three loops of Ethibond. This prospective study included 14 patients with Neer type II fractures treated with open reduction and coracoclavicular fixation. Ethibond sutures were passed under the coracoid and around the clavicle (UCAC loop) without making any drill holes in the proximal or distal fragments. There were 11 men and three women with a mean age of 34.57 years (29 to 41). Patients were followed for a mean of 24.64 months (14 to 31) and evaluated radiologically and clinically using the Constant score. Fracture union was obtained in 13 patients at a mean of 18.23 weeks (13 to 23) and the mean Constant score was 96.07 (91 to 100). One patient developed an asymptomatic fibrous nonunion at one year. This study suggests that open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fractures using UCAC loops can provide rigid fixation and lead to bony union. This technique avoids using metal hardware, preserves the acromioclavicular joint and provides adequate stability with excellent results.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:983–7.