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Published on: February 10, 2014
Cyclic load testing and ultimate failure strength of suture anchors in the acetabular rim
Michell Ruiz-Suarez1, Jorge Aziz-Jacobo, F Alan Barber
1Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Mexico City, Mexico.
Purpose:
To determine the resistance to cyclic stress and load-to-failure strength of several suture anchors suitable for hip arthroscopy.
Methods:
Ten polyetheretherketone (PEEK) PushLock, PEEK SutureTak, and Bio-SutureTak anchors (Arthrex, Naples, FL); Lupine Loop BR anchors (DePuy Mitek, Norwood, MA); Bio-Mini Revo anchors (ConMed Linvatec, Largo, FL); and BioRaptor 2.9 AB anchors (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) were inserted in rotation into different locations on the rim of 4 matched pairs of potted acetabula clamped to the base of a servohydraulic testing machine. The anchors' sutures were cyclically pulled in line with the insertion angle. Displacement at 100 and 500 cycles, yield load, ultimate failure load, and failure mode were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed.
Results:
Most of the displacement observed during cyclic loading occurred in the first 100 cycles, except for the BioRaptor 2.9 AB, which showed twice as much displacement at 500 cycles as at 100 cycles. The Lupine Loop BR cyclic displacement was greater than that of the PEEK PushLock (at 100 cycles also), Bio-SutureTak, and PEEK SutureTak at 500 cycles (P < .05). The BioRaptor 2.9 AB cyclic displacement was significantly greater at 100 and 500 cycles than that of the PEEK PushLock and Bio-SutureTak (P < .05). The mean ultimate failure loads for these anchors ranged from 154 N (PEEK SutureTak) to 255 N (Bio-Mini Revo) and was statistically equivalent (P = .139). Correlation analysis showed no significant associations between anchor stiffness, cyclic load displacement, or failure load.
Conclusions:
Anchors with specific indications for hip arthroscopy showed very little displacement and had consistent failure loads under cyclic conditions in the acetabular rim. All hip anchors except the BioRaptor 2.9 AB showed less than 2.0 mm of displacement after 500 cycles.
Clinical Relevance:
Biomechanical testing of suture anchors designated for hip arthroscopy should be performed in the acetabular rim before their use. Suture anchors used for shoulder arthroscopy may not perform as well in the hip.
