A clinical and radiographic comparison of absorbable and non-absorbable suture anchors in open shoulder stabilisation

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results using either absorbable or non-absorbable suture anchors in patients with recurrent unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder dislocations. All patients had a Bankart lesion. One surgeon operated on 33 consecutive patients, 27 males and six females. Group A comprised 15 shoulders and group B 18 shoulders, all of which underwent a standardised open Bankart reconstruction using 3.7-mm TAG suture anchors. In group A, absorbable anchors were used, while in group B, non-absorbable ones were used. There was one re-dislocation in each group. In group A, the Rowe and Constant scores were 89 (69-98) and 89 (76-99) points, respectively. The corresponding values in group B were 87 (44-98) (not significant; NS) and 90 (71-100) points (NS). The strength measurements revealed 8.1 (3.8-12.3) kg in 90 degrees abduction in group A and 10.0 (6.7-12.0) kg in group B. Healthy control shoulders revealed 10.2 (4.5-13.2) kg (NS A and B versus controls). The external rotation in abduction was 70 degrees (40-90) in group A and 80 degrees (40-100) in group B. The value for the controls was 90 degrees (80-120) [P < 0.001 (A versus controls), P < 0.05 (A versus B) and P < 0.001 (B versus controls)]. The radiographs revealed that 9/15 (60%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) in group B had visible drill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes (NS). Furthermore, 11/15 (73%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) in group B had signs of minor degeneration (NS). We conclude that, in terms of stability and clinical results, no differences were found between the study groups. Both groups demonstrated a restriction in external rotation as compared with the healthy shoulders in the same cohort. On the radiographs, visible drill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes were seen with equal frequency, regardless of whether absorbable or non-absorbable suture anchors were used.