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Biomechanical evaluation of different suture materials for arthroscopic transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears

  • Experimental Study
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the biomechanical properties of four different suture materials for arthroscopic transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears, with special focus on the meniscus–suture interface.

Methods

Forty fresh-frozen lateral porcine menisci were used. The posterior meniscus root was sutured in a standardized fashion with a simple stitch using four different suture materials: group A, No. 2 PDS™; group B, No. 2 Ethibond™; group C, No. 2 FiberWire™; and group D, 2-mm Fibertape™. Meniscus–suture constructs were subjected to cyclic loading followed by load-to-failure testing using a servo-hydraulic material testing machine.

Results

During cyclic loading, group D showed a significantly higher displacement after 100, 500, and 1,000 cycles compared to group A (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001), and a significantly higher displacement after 100 and 500 cycles compared to group B (p = 0.010 and p = 0.045). Group C showed a significantly higher displacement compared to group A after 100 cycles (p = 0.008). The highest maximum load was observed in group D, with significant differences compared to group A (p = 0.013). Group B showed a significantly higher stiffness compared to group A (p = 0.023), and both group C and group D showed a significantly higher stiffness compared to group A and group B (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

None of the evaluated suture materials provided clearly superior properties over the others during both cyclic loading and load-to-failure testing. Based on the results of this study, FiberWire™ may be the preferred suture material for transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears because of comparably low displacement during cyclic loading and high values for maximum load and stiffness. In the clinical setting, FiberWire™ may improve healing rates and avoid progressive extrusion of the meniscus after transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Matthias J. Feucht, Johannes Brunhuber, Nikolaus Rosenstiel, Andreas B. Imhoff & Sepp Braun

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Biomechanic Lab, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Eduardo Grande & Rainer Burgkart

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  1. Matthias J. Feucht
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  2. Eduardo Grande
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  3. Johannes Brunhuber
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  4. Nikolaus Rosenstiel
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  6. Andreas B. Imhoff
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Correspondence to Andreas B. Imhoff.

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Feucht, M.J., Grande, E., Brunhuber, J. et al. Biomechanical evaluation of different suture materials for arthroscopic transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 132–139 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2656-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2656-z

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