Perianchor radiolucency following PEEK suture anchor application associated with recurrent shoulder dislocation: a...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Radiology

Background:

• Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization is a common procedure for treating shoulder instability.
• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) suture anchors are frequently used for soft tissue fixation to bone.
• Bankart and SLAP lesions are specific types of shoulder injuries often addressed with stabilization surgery.

Observation:

• A 25-year-old male experienced recurrent shoulder dislocations post-arthroscopic stabilization.
• The stabilization procedure involved PEEK suture anchors for Bankart and SLAP lesion repair.
• Imaging revealed perianchor radiolucency around all previously implanted PEEK suture anchors.

Findings:

• The recurrent shoulder instability is hypothesized to be linked to the observed perianchor radiolucency.
• This represents the first reported instance of perianchor radiolucency associated with PEEK suture anchors.
• The precise mechanism causing osteolysis around the PEEK anchors remains unclear.

Implications:

• This case raises concerns about the long-term bone response to PEEK suture anchors.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the pathomechanism of osteolysis and its clinical significance.
• Clinicians should be aware of this potential complication when using PEEK anchors for shoulder stabilization.