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Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Suture Anchor Configurations for Repair of Type II SLAP Lesions

Authors

Domb BG, Ehteshami JR, Shindle MK, Gulotta L, Zoghi-Moghadam M, MacGillivray JD, Altchek DW
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2006.10.018

Purpose

To determine the biomechanical strength of three different suture anchor techniques for repairing type II SLAP (superior labrum anterior-posterior) lesions.

Methods

Cadaveric shoulders underwent creation of standardized SLAP tears, repaired using three configurations:

  1. One simple suture anterior to the biceps,
  2. Two simple sutures (anterior and posterior),
  3. One mattress suture through the biceps anchor.
    Cyclic loading and load-to-failure tests were performed.

Key Findings

  • The mattress suture (group 3) had the highest load to strain failure (106 N) and matched the best ultimate failure load (194 N).
  • Two simple sutures also performed well but were slightly less robust than the mattress suture.
  • One simple suture configuration was weakest in all biomechanical tests.

Conclusion

Mattress suture anchor repairs provide superior biomechanical strength for type II SLAP lesions compared to simple suture configurations.

What This Means for Patients

Patients undergoing SLAP repair may benefit from newer, stronger techniques like mattress sutures that reduce the risk of repair failure during rehabilitation and return to sports.

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