Glenoid rim fracture in contact athletes with absorbable suture anchor reconstruction

Absorbable suture anchors are widely used in arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction procedures and provide a good solution for stabilization in athletes. In our practice we identified a group of 3 patients who had participated in contact sports and in whom traumatic instability developed. Subluxation of the shoulder followed repair by use of absorbable suture anchors. Each patient had a new injury characterized by a glenoid rim fracture that was not amenable to further arthroscopic reconstruction and was revised by use of a modified Latarjet procedure. All patients successfully returned to contact sports. We conclude that resorption defects resulting from the use of absorbable anchors contribute to an increased risk of rim fracture.