Lesser Tuberosity Avulsion Fracture Repair Using Knotless Arthroscopic Fixation

Although some literature may suggest that acute nondisplaced lesser tuberosity fractures should undergo nonoperative management, there is a body of evidence that supports surgical stabilization of these injuries due to concern for fracture displacement, nonunion and malunion, anteromedial impingement, and possible biceps tendon subluxation or dislocation. In this Technical Note, we introduce a novel technique for arthroscopic fixation of lesser tuberosity avulsion fractures using a knotless repair. In the lateral decubitus position using standard arthroscopic portals, with the addition of the biceps accessory portal, 2 ULTRATAPE sutures are fixed to the avulsed fragment in luggage-tag fashion to create a secure, knotless fixation. These are used to mobilize and anatomically approximate the lesser tuberosity to the avulsion bed and are held in place with suture anchors placed immediately adjacent to the fracture bed. This technique provides good anatomic reduction with maximal surface area for bone-to-bone healing.