Editorial Commentary: Biomechanics of All Suture Anchors: What We Know So Far

All suture anchors (ASAs) have proven valuable for soft tissue to bone fixation. They have a small footprint and can be inserted in tight spaces where little bone is available. Additionally, more ASAs can be inserted in the same amount of bone than their larger predecessors, and this may improve the overall biomechanics of the repair construct through load sharing at multiple points of fixation. ASAs are more dependent on the cortical bone than the cancellous bone where they are inserted for fixation. Decortication of this bone should be minimized or avoided, and deployed anchors should be seated to the cortical bone as much as possible at the time of insertion to avoid later settling with cyclic loading. In anchor biomechanical studies, it is important to look at gap formation with cyclic loading. This biomechanical property is clinically more significant than catastrophic failure because of anchor pullout or suture breakage, which is uncommon. Finally, regarding shoulder rotator cuff surgery, biological (healing) is our greatest challenge; in general, anchor fixation strength is adequate.