A new technique: in vitro suture anchor fixation has superior yield strength to bone tunnel fixation for distal biceps tendon repair.

Abstract

Suture anchor and bone tunnel fixations are used for distal biceps tendon repairs and have not been compared. Suture anchor fixation is equal or superior to bone tunnel fixation. Randomized controlled in vitro study. A new fixation technique was compared to traditional bone tunnel fixation of distal biceps tendon ruptures between randomly selected sides of nine matched-pair, fresh-frozen elbow specimens from cadaveric donors (mean age = 74.7 years). Bone densities were determined. The distal biceps tendon was attached to the actuator of a servohydraulic load frame and loaded to tensile failure at a constant rate of 4 mm/sec. Bone density, sex, age, side, tuberosity area, repair, failure type, repair stiffness, and yield strength were compared. Superior yield strength of suture anchor fixation (263 N) compared to bone tunnel fixation (203 N) (P = 0.0233) were demonstrated. When suture anchor fixation failure (1 of 9) occurred, the matched pair also failed. Suture anchor fixation offers an equal if not superior alternative to bone tunnel fixation for repair of the distal biceps tendon in the specimens tested. Suture anchor fixation may be used for distal biceps tendon repairs.