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Related Experiment Videos

Sutures and suture anchors: update 2003.

F Alan Barber1, Morley A Herbert, David P Richards

  • 1Plano Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, Plano, Texas 75093, USA.

Arthroscopy : the Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery : Official Publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association
|November 11, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study tested suture anchors and found that all anchors were stronger than the sutures they are designed for. Screw anchors demonstrated superior load-to-failure strength compared to non-screw designs.

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Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic biomechanics
  • Biomaterials science
  • Surgical device engineering

Background:

  • Suture anchors are critical for soft tissue reattachment in orthopedic surgery.
  • Evaluating the mechanical properties of new suture and anchor designs is essential for clinical success.
  • Understanding failure modes ensures appropriate device selection for specific surgical needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the single-pull load-to-failure strength and failure modes of recently introduced sutures and suture anchors.
  • To compare the biomechanical performance of various suture anchor designs and materials.
  • To determine if suture anchors meet or exceed the strength of the sutures they are intended to secure.

Main Methods:

  • A laboratory biomechanical study using porcine femurs to simulate in vivo conditions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Tensile loads were applied to suture anchors using an Instron machine until failure.
  • Failure modes (pullout, cutout, breakage) and mean failure strengths were recorded for multiple anchor and suture types.

    • Main Results:

    • All tested sutures failed at their midpoints, with varying load-to-failure strengths (e.g., No. 5 Ethibond at 44 lb, No. 5 Fiberwire at 112 lb).
    • All suture anchors demonstrated failure strengths exceeding that of the sutures used.
    • Screw-type anchors exhibited higher load-to-failure values than non-screw designs, and biodegradable anchors showed lower failure loads compared to other anchors.

    Conclusions:

    • Suture anchors generally exceed the strength of the sutures they are paired with.
    • Screw anchor designs offer superior load-to-failure performance compared to non-screw alternatives.
    • Biodegradable anchors may have limitations in load-bearing capacity compared to metallic or non-biodegradable options.