Biomechanical test comparing the load to failure of the biodegradable meniscus arrow versus meniscal suture

The biodegradable Meniscus Arrow (Bionx, Blue Bell, PA) is a newly introduc ed method for repair of meniscal injury. However, because of a lack of stud ies, there is still little understanding of its biomechanical behavior. Bio mechanical test was carried out to evaluate the load to failure and failure modes of the Meniscus Arrow and to compare the results with those of three traditionally used methods. Thirty-five lateral menisci obtained from York shire pigs were incised longitudinally, simulating a peripheral longitudina l tear, and were repaired by means of Meniscus Arrows (one-point and two-po int fixation), as well as with the techniques of knot-end, horizontal, and vertical suture using No. 1 PDS II monofilament suture. Tensile strength te sting was performed according to each repair method with the Instron tensom eter (Model No. 5569; Instron, Canton, MA) and its results were analyzed us ing a computerized statistical program. The average maximal tensile strengt hs were 113.9 +/- 14.6 N in vertical suture, 75.1 +/- 18.4 N in horizontal suture, 53.9 +/- 6.4 N in knot-end suture, 38.3 +/- 4.3 N in one-point fixa tion Meniscus Arrow repair, and 56.5 +/- 3.5 N in two-paint fixation Menisc us Arrow repair. The initial failure strength for two-point fixation Menisc us Arrow repair is comparable to that of a knot-end suture. Following the r esults of this study, meticulous caution should be taken when meniscal tear s are repaired with Meniscus Arrows.