Delayed Lateral Row Anchor Failure in Suture Bridge Rotator Cuff Repair: A Report of 3 Cases

Compared to single row repair, use of lateral row anchors in suture bridge rotator cuff repair enhances repair strength and increases footprint contact area. If a lateral knotless anchor (push-in design) is inserted into osteoporotic bone, pull-out of the lateral row anchor can developed. However, failures of lateral row anchors have been reported at several months after surgery. In our cases, even though complete cuff healing occurred, delayed pull-out of the lateral row anchor in the suture bridge repair occurred. In comparison to a conventional medial anchor, further biomechanical evaluation of the pull-out force, design, and insertion angle of the lateral anchor is needed in future studies. We report three cases with delayed pull-out of lateral row anchor in suture bridge rotator cuff repair with a literature review.