Suture anchor versus suture through tunnel fixation for quadriceps tendon rupture: a biomechanical study

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 31; no. 5; p. 441
• Main Authors: Lighthart, William A, Cohen, David A, Levine, Richard G, Parks, Brent G, Boucher, Henry R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01-05-2008
• Subjects: Biomechanics; Cadaver; Dissection; Elastic Modulus; Humans; Rupture - physiopathology; Rupture - surgery; Shoulder; Stress, Mechanical; Surgery; Suture Anchors; Suture Techniques - instrumentation; Sutures; Tendon Injuries - physiopathology; Tendon Injuries - surgery; Tendons - physiopathology; Tendons - surgery; Tensile Strength; Thigh; Trauma; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0147-7447; 1938-2367
• DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20110414-18

This biomechanical study compared suture anchors versus transosseous sutures for repair of quadriceps tendon ruptures using a force of 150 N at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. No significant difference in displacement was found between the 2 techniques with initial loading or with load or no load after 1000 cycles. Displacement after 1000 cycles for suture anchors and bone tunnels was 4.65 and 4.50 mm, respectively. These findings suggest a possible role for suture anchors in repairing quadriceps tendon ruptures. Suture anchors are relatively expensive but require less dissection over the patella and do not involve suture placement about the patella tendon.