Repair of central slip avulsions using Mitek Micro Arc bone anchors. An in vitro biomechanical assessment

In this study we evaluated the pullout strength of the Mitek Micro Arc anchor for the reconstruction of central slip avulsions at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the finger. Forty paired fresh frozen cadaver fingers were randomized into treatment (anchor) and control groups (horizontal mattress repair) and subjected to tensile loading to failure. The mean (SD) failure loads of the repairs were: Mitek repair group 22.3 (4.7) N, and control group 24.7 (5.5) N. There were no statistically significant differences between the failure loads or the failure mechanisms of the two repairs. The pullout strength of the isolated anchor-bone complex was evaluated by refitting five anchors with stainless steel wire. The mean failure load of the isolated anchor was 400% higher than the tendon-suture-anchor complex, indicating that the weakest link of the system is not the bone-anchor interface.