Novel ultrasound assisted suture anchor system using the BoneWelding® technology yields a comparable primary stability in osteopenic and healthy human humeri as a benchmark anchor

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this biomechanical study was to evaluate the primary stability of the SportWelding® Sombrero 3.6 mm suture anchor system in osteopenic and healthy cadaveric humeri.Methods: The Sombrero® and BioCorkscrew® anchors were deployed in 8 osteopenic and 4 healthycadaver humeri after the bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the 32 specimens. Both anchorswere loaded with a USP Nr. 2 FiberWire® suture. An established cyclic testing protocol was performed.The maximum failure load (Fmax), the system displacement and the modes of failure were recorded.Results: The Fmaxand system displacement of the Sombrero® in osteopenic and healthy humeri wasequivalent to the Bio-Corkscrew® benchmark anchor; there were no signiŞcant differences in themaximum failure loads and system displacement values. Only anchor and suture dislocations wereobserved; suture ruptures did not occur.Conclusion: This study shows that the Sombrero® yields similar maximum failure loads and systemdisplacement values as the established Bio-Corkscrew® benchmark anchor. The primary stability of theSombrero® and Bio-Corkscrew® seems to be independent of the bone mineral quality. This relativelysmall-sized polymer anchor is independent of the BMD and may be an alternative to established sutureanchors in rotator cuff repair.