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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Experimental Study

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

Authors: Matthias J. Feucht, Eduardo Grande, Johannes Brunhuber, Nikolaus Rosenstiel, Rainer Burgkart, Andreas B. Imhoff, Sepp Braun

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 1/2015

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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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Metadata
Title
Biomechanical evaluation of different suture materials for arthroscopic transtibial pull-out repair of posterior meniscus root tears
Authors
Matthias J. Feucht
Eduardo Grande
Johannes Brunhuber
Nikolaus Rosenstiel
Rainer Burgkart
Andreas B. Imhoff
Sepp Braun
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2656-z

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