Suture anchor fixation strength in the Latarjet procedure: a biomechanical study in cadavers.

BACKGROUND: The use of metallic screws for graft fixation during the Latarjet procedure is not devoid of complications. The purpose of the present cadaver study was to determine the initial strength of coracoid graft fixation using suture anchors and compare it to that of the traditional screw fixation of the graft using a fresh frozen human shoulder cadaver model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve unpaired fresh frozen cadaver shoulders were utilized. In the first group, suture anchor fixation of the graft was used, while 3.75-mm cannulated screws were used in the second group. The specimens were then cyclically loaded from 5 to 150 N at a speed of 0.05 mm/s for 100 cycles. After cyclic loading, each specimen was then loaded at a constant rate of 0.5 mm/s until 7 mm of displacement. Cyclic elongation, peak-to-peak displacement, stiffness and maximum load were measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the traditional screw fixation and fixation using suture anchors in elongation, peak-to-peak displacement, stiffness and maximum load. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, traditional screw fixation and fixation using suture anchors did not significantly affect biomechanical performance in a classic Latarjet procedure.

Measurement of regional trabecular bone attenuation of the knee following anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine regional trabecular bone attenuation changes of the knee using computed tomography after anterior cruciate ligament rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty one patients'-computed tomography images of the injured knees were used to measure trabecular bone attenuation in seven predetermined regions. RESULTS: Trabecular bone attenuation at four of seven regions (anteromedial area of the proximal tibia, anterolateral area of the proximal tibia, posteromedial area of the proximal tibia, and posterocentral area of the proximal tibia) was negatively correlated with the duration after injury. Independent negative correlation between the duration after injury and the density in anteromedial area of the proximal tibia was detected. CONCLUSIONS: After anterior cruciate ligament injury, trabecular bone attenuation of the knee decreases by time in certain regions of proximal tibia. Anteromedial region is the most significantly effected of all, which it is the anterior cruciate ligament fixation area.