A clinical and radiographic comparison of absorbable and non-absorbable suture anchors in open shoulder stabilisation

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results using either absorbable or non-absorbable suture anchors in patients with r ecurrent unidirectional, post-traumatic shoulder dislocations. All patients had a Bankart lesion. One surgeon operated on 33 consecutive patients, 27 males and six females. Group A comprised 15 shoulders and group B 18 should ers, all of which underwent a standardised open Bankart reconstruction usin g 3.7-mm TAG suture anchors. In group A, absorbable anchors were used, whil e in group B, non-absorbable ones were used. There was one re-dislocation i n each group. In group A, the Rowe and Constant scores were 89 (69-98) and 89 (76-99) points, respectively. The corresponding values in group B were 8 7 (44-98) (not significant; NS) and 90 (71-100) points (NS). The strength m easurements revealed 8.1 (3.8-12.3) kg in 90 degrees abduction in group A a nd 10.0 (6.7-12.0) kg:in group B. Healthy control shoulders revealed 10.2 ( 4.5-13.2) kg (NS A and B versus controls). The external rotation in abducti on was 70 degrees (40-90) in group A and 80 degrees (40-100) in group B. Th e value for the controls was 90 degrees (80-120) [P<0.001 (A versus control s), P<0.05 (A versus B) and P<0.001 (B versus controls)]. The radiographs r evealed that 9/15 (60%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) in group B had visible d rill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes (NS). F urthermore, 11/15 (73%) in group A and 10/15 (66%) In group B had signs of minor degeneration (NS). We conclude that, in terms of stability and clinic al results, no differences were found between the study groups. Both groups demonstrated a restriction in external rotation as compared with the healt hy shoulders in the same cohort. On the radiographs, visible drill holes or cystic formations in conjunction with the drill holes were seen with equal frequency, regardless of whether absorbable or non-absorbable suture ancho rs were used.