RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purposes of the study were (1) to compare rotator cuff repair strengths after cyclic loading of 2 bioabsorbable nonsuture-based tack-type anchors, transosseous sutures, and a metal suture-based anchor, and (2) to correlate bone mineral density with mode of failure and cycles to failure. We hypothesized that specimens with a lower bone density would fail through bone at a lower number of cycles independent of the method of cuff fixation. TYPE OF STUDY: Ex vivo biomechanical study. METHODS: Standardized full-thickness rotator cuff defects were created in 30 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders that were randomized to 1 of 4 repair groups: transosseous sutures; Mitek Super suture anchors (Mitek Surgical Products, Westwood, MA); smooth bioabsorbable 8-mm Suretacs (Acufex, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Mansfield, MA); or spiked bioabsorbable 8-mm Suretacs (Acufex). All repairs were cyclically loaded from 10 to 180 N; the numbers of cycles to 50% (gap, 5 mm) and 100% (gap, 10 mm) failure were recorded. RESULTS: In comparing the repair groups, we found only 1 significant difference: the number of cycles to 100% failure was significantly higher (P <.05) for the smooth bioabsorbable tack than for the transosseous suture group. There were no statistically significant (P
