The use of suture-tape and suture-wire in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A comparative biomechanics study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff repair surgery aims to create a secure, pressurized tendon-bone footprint to permit re-establishment of the fibrovascular interface and tendon healing. Flat-braided suture-tape is an alternative suture material to traditional suture-wire that has potential to reproduce a larger repair construct contact area. The objective of this study was to compare contact pressure, area as well as the mechanical fatigue strength between suture-wire and suture-tape Suture-bridge repair constructs in an ovine model. METHODS: Sixty lamb infraspinatus tendons were harvested and randomly allocated to three- and four-anchor Suture-bridge repairs performed using either suture-wire or sut..