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Double intramedullary cortical button versus suture anchors for distal biceps tendon repair: a biomechanical comparison

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this biomechanical in vitro study was to compare the novel technique of double intramedullary cortical button (DICB) fixation with the well-established method of suture anchor (SA) fixation for distal biceps tendon repair.

Methods

A matched-pair analysis (24 human cadaveric radii) was performed with respect to cyclic loadings and failure strengths. Twelve specimens per group were cyclically loaded for 1,000 cycles at 1.5 Hz from 5 to 50 N and from 5 to 100 N, respectively. The tendon–bone displacement was optically analysed using the Image J Software (National Institute of Health). Afterwards, all specimens were pulled to failure. Maximum load to failure and mode of failure were recorded.

Results

All DICB constructs passed the cyclic loading test, whereas 4 of the 12 specimens within the SA group failed by anchor pull-out. Cyclic loading showed a mean tendon–bone displacement of 0.6 ± 1.4 mm for the DICB group and 1.4 ± 1.4 mm for the SA group (n.s.) after 1,000 cycles with 50 N, and a mean displacement of 2.1 ± 2.4 mm for the DICB group and 3.5 ± 3.7 mm for the SA group (n.s.) after 1,000 cycles with 100 N. Load to failure testing showed a mean failure load of 312 ± 76 N and a stiffness of 67.1 ± 11.7 N/mm for the DICB technique. The mean load to failure for the SA repair was 200 ± 120 N (n.s.) and the stiffness was 55.9 ± 21.3 N/mm (n.s.).

Conclusions

The novel technique of DICB fixation showed small tendon–bone displacement during cyclic testing and reliable fixation strength to the bone in load to failure. Moreover, all DICB constructs passed cyclic loadings without failure. Based on the current findings, a more aggressive postoperative rehabilitation may be allowed for the DICB repair in clinical use.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Alexander Fingerle, MD, from the Department of Radiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Germany, for performing CT scans of the specimens tested. Further, we thank Arthrex for their equipment donation that made this research study possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Sebastian Siebenlist, Arne Buchholz, Julian Zapf, Gunther H. Sandmann, Karl F. Braun & Peter Biberthaler

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Frank Martetschläger & Andreas Lenich

  3. Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Alexander Hapfelmeier

  4. BG Traumacenter, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany

    Tobias M. Kraus

  5. Centre of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hessingpark-Clinic, Augsburg, Germany

    Florian Elser

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  1. Sebastian Siebenlist
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Correspondence to Sebastian Siebenlist.

Additional information

S. Siebenlist and A. Buchholz contributed equally to this article.

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Siebenlist, S., Buchholz, A., Zapf, J. et al. Double intramedullary cortical button versus suture anchors for distal biceps tendon repair: a biomechanical comparison. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 926–933 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2590-0

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