This is a case series of a senior surgeon's experience; the purpose being to illustrate the problems encountered when using bio-absorbable anchors for various indications in shoulder surgery. A retrospective analysis of 7 patients' notes, radiology and arthroscopic findings between 2006 and 2010. There were 5 females and 2 males, with an average age of 50 years 3 months. The indications for using these anchors varied; 5 patients had rotator cuff repairs, 1 had a SLAP repair and the other had a Bankart repair. Patients complained of pain (3), a noisy shoulder (2), deformity (1) and symptoms similar to an infection (1). Average time from surgery to symptoms varied, with the shortest time being 3 months and the longest being 4 years 2 months. Some had dramatic MRI changes showing significant lysis around the anchors. Arthroscopic findings included anchor debris in the joint, loose anchors with significant defects and resultant irreversible cartilage damage.Method.
Results.
