FIXATION OF CANINE TENDONS TO METAL

For the purpose of developing a method to attach tendons directly to t he prosthesis, canine supraspinatus tendons were attached in vitro to a metallic surface, using 3 different fixation devices: a spiked polya cetal washer (Synthes(R)), a spiked soft tissue fixation plate (Synthe s(R)), and a newly designed Enhanced Tendon Anchor (ETA), which stradd led the tendon with interlocking spikes oriented at a 20-degree angle. 2 methods were used: 1) the tendon was fixed directly to the metallic surface, or 2) a bone block containing the tendon insertion was fixed to the metallic surface. The specimens were tested for initial fixati on strength in tension to failure; intact bone-muscle-tendon-bone unit s were used as controls. Bone block fixations were stronger than direc t tendon fixations when the spiked washer or the ETA was used; this wa s not true of the fixation plate. The ETA was stronger than the other techniques in ultimate strength in both direct tendon fixation and bon e block fixation. The soft tissue fixation plate was found to be weake r than the other techniques in bone block fixation.