Editorial Commentary: Quadriceps Tendon Suture Anchor Repair Provides Better Patient-Reported Outcomes Than Transosseous Tunnel Repair: Defining the New Gold Standard

Quadriceps tendon suture anchor repair provides biomechanically greater and more consistent failure loads than transosseous tunnel repair, including less cyclic displacement (gap formation). Although satisfactory clinical outcomes are found with both repair techniques, few studies provide a side-to-side comparison. However, recent research demonstrates better clinical outcomes in using suture anchors, with equal failure rates. Suture anchor repair is minimally invasive requiring smaller incisions, less patellar dissection, and eliminates patellar tunnel drilling that can breach the anterior cortex, create stress risers, result in osteolysis from nonabsorbable intraosseous sutures and longitudinal patellar fractures. Suture anchor quadriceps tendon repair should now be considered the gold standard.     

Repair of Patellar Tendon Rupture With Suture Anchors

Repair of a ruptured patellar tendon is usually performed with the use of sutures that are passed through intraosseous tunnels within the patella. However, a number of caveats pertain to this method. The Beath pin may penetrate the articular surface or may unduly injure the quadriceps through multiple passes. The already injured patellar tendon may be overly shortened after debridement and insertion into bony tunnels, and loosening through the tunnels may occur. Obliquely oriented bony tunnels may cause abnormal patellar tilt, leading to uneven force distribution. This technical note reports the details of an alternative repair with 3 suture anchors that is incorporated into a 6-stranded Krackow technique, with additional mattress sutures as needed. Because of the low-profile nature of the anchors, this technique more accurately re-creates the footprint at the inferior pole of the patella and avoids articular cartilage penetration and injury to the surrounding soft tissue. The possibility of loosening through bony tunnels or creation of abnormal stresses is eliminated. A smaller incision is used, and operative (tourniquet) time is diminished. Although pullout of the anchors may be a logical concern, previous studies have suggested that this construct is more than sufficient to withstand the forces to which it is subjected.     

Transosseous tunnels versus suture anchors for the repair of acute quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of biomechanical studies

BackgroundMultiple techniques have been developed for the repair of acute quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures with the goal of optimizing clinical outcomes while minimizing complications and costs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of transosseous tunnels and suture anchors for the repair of quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures.MethodsA systematic review of the PubMed and Embase databases was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using specific search terms and eligibility criteria. Meta-analysis was performed by fixed-effects models for studies of low heterogeneity (I² <25%) and random-effects models for studies of moderate to high heterogeneity (I² ≥25%).ResultsA total of 392 studies were identified from the initial literature search with 7 studies meeting the eligibility criteria for quadriceps tendon repair and 8 studies meeting the eligibility criteria for patellar tendon repair. Based on the random-effects model for total gap formation and load to failure for quadriceps tendon repair, the mean difference was 8.88 mm (95% CI, −8.31 mm to 26.06 mm; p = 0.31) in favor of a larger gap with transosseous tunnels and −117.25N (95%CI, −242.73N to 8.23N; p = 0.07) in favor of a larger load to failure with suture anchors. A similar analysis for patellar tendon repair demonstrated a mean difference of 2.86 mm (95% CI, 1.08 mm to 4.64 mm; p = 0.002) in favor of a larger gap with transosseous tunnels and −56.34N (95% CI, −226.75 to 114.07N; p = 0.52) in favor of a larger load to failure with suture anchor repair.ConclusionsTransosseous tunnels are biomechanically similar to suture anchors for quadriceps tendon repair. Patellar tendon repair may benefit from reduced gap formation after cycling with suture anchor repair, but the load to failure for both techniques is biomechanically similar. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate these and alternative repair techniques.Level of evidenceSystematic review and meta-analysis of biomechanical studies, Level V.     

Quadriceps and patellar tendon ruptures

Ruptures of the quadriceps as well as the patellar tendon occur in low frequency, but cause major functional deficits of the leg. These injuries usually require operative treatment. Acute quadriceps tendon ruptures are treated by suture repair, using heavy sutures guided through bone tunnels in the patella. Chronic defects and neglected cases require a local tendon transfer, either by a quadriceps tendon turn-down or by a V-Y-plasty of the quadriceps tendon. Ruptures of the patellar tendon are treated by suture of the tendon stumps plus an reinforcement procedure protecting the tendon and avoiding secondary patella alta. Patello-tibial fixation may be achieved by a cerclage technique using wire or an autologous tendon strip, alternatively a patello-tibial external fixator can be applied. In chronic and neglected cases, patellar tendon reconstruction is performed with autologous tendon grafts or with soft tissue allografts. The graft must be protected by a patello-tibial fixation for the first weeks.     

带线锚钉“8”字缝合固定髌骨下极骨折

[目的]介绍带线锚钉“8”字缝合固定髌骨下极骨折的手术技术和初步临床应用效果。[方法]2017年6月-2019年12月采用上述技术固定髌骨下极骨折38例。行膝前正中切口,暴露骨折端。于近髌骨置人1枚5.0 mm带线锚钉。锚钉旁使用2-0克氏针自髌骨前方分别斜向两侧钻孔至髌骨后方关节面,出针点在骨折断端上方约0.1 mm,使用硬膜外导针将锚钉上两股缝线的单边分别自上述钻孔中引出,锚钉线分别从髌骨下极两侧缝合编织在髌韧带上,自行打结收紧。然后将两股缝线上的另一单边自髌骨一侧锚钉处为起点,连续缝合至同侧髌韧带近端,绕髌韧带缝合至对侧,再缝合至起点处自行收紧打结。[结果]38例患者均顺利完成手术。骨折愈合时间14?16周,无内固定失效病例,膝关节稳定性良好。术后12个月Bostman髌骨骨折评级标准,优30例,良7例,优良率97.37%。[结论]带线锚钉治疗髌骨下极骨折,修复了伸膝装置,操作简单安全,术后膝关节功能恢复优良,且无需二次手术取出,疗效满意。     

Repair of quadriceps tendon ruptures using suture anchors

The repair of ruptured quadriceps tendon is commonly performed by weaving sutures through the ruptured tendon and then attaching the tendon to the bone by passing these sutures through tunnels in the superior patella. This technical note is the first report we are aware of in the English language literature of a technique that uses suture anchors to attach the tendon to bone.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 5 (May-June), 2002: pp 556–559     

高强度聚酯纤维缝线减张治疗陈旧性髌腱断裂

目的 探讨陈旧性髌腱断裂的临床特点,介绍采用高强度聚酯纤维缝线减张治疗陈旧性髌腱断裂的手术方法 和术后康复方法 .方法 2002年1月至2007年2月,收治陈旧性髌腱断裂6例,手术切断超长的瘢痕愈合髌腱组织.恢复长度后重新吻合,并在胫骨结节和髌骨两端钻骨孔,采用4根高强度聚酯纤维缝线经骨孔减张保护.术后对患者采用积极的康复锻炼方案:术后第1天即町下地直立行走及被动屈膝90°,休息和睡眠时不须支具石膏固定保护;术后3周起开始练习主动抬腿;术后6周后开始练习快走,负重2 kg直腿抬高;术后12周后开始练习上下楼梯和下蹲;术后6个月后开始正常运动以及蹬跳运动.结果 术后随访1～5年,平均3.2年.患者早期即可以活动并可以下床直立行走,所有患者均未出现再断裂.手术6个月以后,患者均恢复正常的平地行走、跑步能力等,屈膝基本达到对侧的水平,股四头肌力量良好.Lysholm评分均能达到100分.结论 高强度聚酯纤维缝线减张治疗陈旧性髌腱断裂,创伤小,方法 简单,不须外加牵引,不须石膏固定,不须二次手术取内固定.积极的康复训练允许患者早期行走,效果可靠.     

Spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture in an otherwise healthy patient. A case report

Bilateral rupture of the patellar tendons is a rare lesion, usually associated with systemic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure and others. It is extremely rare in a healthy individual, with fewer than 15 cases described. A case of a 32-year-old male with no known history of systemic disease or knee problems is presented. Physical examination, xrays and MRI demonstrated bilateral rupture of the patellar tendons. The tendons were repaired using a nonabsorbable suture reinforced with two titanium anchors fixed to each patella, and a quadriceps tendon flap. The evolution was satisfactory, with both knees recovering a full range of motion in a four-month period.     

A Novel Transosseous Button Technique for Rotator Cuff Repair

In an attempt to maximize stability by improving the lateral footprint compression of our repair in rotator cuff tears, we have been using a rotator cuff button (Arthrex, Naples, FL) passed through a transosseous tunnel as an anchor for our transosseous sutures. Our new innovation is to pass a rotator cuff button fully loaded with 4 strands around the central post, with 2 leading strands and 2 trailing strands on either end, through our transosseous tunnel. In this way, we can use the 4 central strands through our tunnel to obtain 2 good mattress sutures as a primary repair and the peripheral 4 strands passed around the lateral humerus as over sew mattress sutures to obtain good compression of the lateral tendon and so improve the footprint area. A double row equivalent is achieved. This technique has a good primary hold in the form of a device with proven history and avoids multiple anchors in the lateral humerus. Because it uses only a single fixation device, it is also significantly more economical. Theoretical risks to the axillary nerve or with osteoporosis have not been seen in practice. Tensioning the repair with suture passage through transosseous tunnels is readily achieved.     

Ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint. Clinical results and patellofemoral articulation

The functional results of 28 cases of rupture of the quadriceps and patellar tendons are reported. Excellent or good results were noted in 15 of 18 quadriceps and 7 of 10 patellar tendons. Radiographic comparison with the opposite knee disclosed incongruences between the patella and the femoral groove in the tangential view and/or cranial-caudal position of the patella in the lateral view in 13 of the quadriceps tendon ruptures and seven of the patellar tendon ruptures. Patients with residual pain had patellofemoral incongruity but since two-thirds of the patients with incongruity were asymptomatic, incongruity alone may not be the cause of the symptoms. There was no positive correlation to muscular strength or range of movement. Nevertheless, exact adaptation of the patellar tendon and periarticular tissue seems necessary to obtain correct patello-femoral articulation. Reinforcement of the tendon with a wire cerclage is recommended to decrease the tension on the suture line and the consequent risk of a secondary rupture. In acute ruptures of the quadriceps tendon end-to-end sutures are sufficient.     

Repair of patellar tendon rupture using suture anchors

Acute isolated rupture of the patellar tendon traditionally has been repaired via transpatellar suture tunnels. This retrospective study evaluated the demographics and epidemiology of this injury as well as the effectiveness and complication rates of our suture anchor technique. Between 1993 and 2005, a total of 82 cases of patellar tendon disruption in 71 patients were repaired. Fourteen cases involved basic primary repair with suture anchors of an acute isolated rupture of the patellar tendon and had an average follow-up of 29 months (range: 3-112 months). There were 3 (21%) failures of repair. The remaining 11 patients had excellent range of motion and strength and returned to their preoperative level of function. These results are comparable with other reports in the literature. The suture anchor technique thus represents a viable option for repair of patellar tendon ruptures and should be investigated further with a randomized, controlled trial.     

Suture anchor repair of quadriceps tendon rupture after total knee arthroplasty

Disruption of the extensor mechanism after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a devastating complication, usually requiring surgical repair. Although suture anchor fixation is well described for repair of the ruptured native knee quadriceps tendon, no study has discussed the use of suture anchors in quadriceps repair after TKA. We present an illustrative case of successful suture anchor fixation of the quadriceps mechanism after TKA. The procedure has been performed in a total of 3 patients. A surgical technique and brief review of the literature follows. Suture anchor fixation of the quadriceps tendon is a viable option in the setting of rupture after TKA.     

Primary fixation strength of rotator cuff repair techniques: a comparative study

Purpose:The goal of the study was to compare the primary fixation strength of transosseous suture, suture anchor, and hybrid repair techniques for rotator cuff repair.Type of Study:Animal model experiment.Methods:Thirty-two sheep shoulders were divided into 4 homogeneous groups, according to bone density and tendon dimensions. Infraspinatus tendons were transected from their insertions and reattached using 4 different techniques. Group 1 was repaired with a single Mason-Allen stitch and 2 transosseous tunnels for each end of the suture, knotted on the lateral cortex of proximal humerus; group 2 was repaired with double Mason-Allen stitches and 2 transosseous tunnels; group 3 was repaired with 2 Corkscrews (Arthrex, Germany); and group 4 was repaired with 2 Corkscrews combined with a single Mason-Allen transosseous suture. All specimens were tested for their fixation strengths with a material testing system.Results:The mode of failure in group 1 was mainly suture breakage. In groups 3 and 4, the tendons pulled out from the sutures. In group 2, sutures broke the bony bridge between the 2 tunnels. The mean load to failure value was 160.31 ± 34.59 N in group 1, 199.36 ± 11.73 N in group 2, 108.32 ± 15.98 N in group 3, and 214.24 ± 28.52 N in group 4. Anchor fixation was significantly weaker compared with other groups (P <.001). Combination of a transosseous suture and anchor fixation (group 4) was significantly stronger than the single transosseous suture (group 1) and double anchor techniques (group 3) (P <.001).Conclusions:Hybrid technique was the strongest among the tested rotator cuff repair techniques. With the addition of one transosseous suture to two anchors, the strength of the repair could be doubled.     

The use of suture anchors to repair the ruptured quadriceps tendon

Quadriceps tendon rupture is an incapacitating injury that usually requires surgical repair. Traditional repair methods involve transpatellar suture tunnels, but recent reports have introduced the idea of using suture anchors to repair the ruptured tendon. We present 5 cases of our technique of using suture anchors to repair the ruptured quadriceps tendon.     

Patellar tendon rupture repair using Dall-Miles cable

Ten patients underwent patellar tendon repair with end-to-end suture technique and medial and lateral retinacular repair, as well as reinforcement with a Dall-Miles cable through the patella and tibial tubercle. The cable was tensioned at 60 degrees of flexion to allow immediate range of motion to at least 100 degrees of flexion and to protect the repair from undue tension while healing. Accurate tendon length was obtained from a lateral radiograph of the noninvolved knee in 60 degrees of flexion. Patients were allowed to bear full weight as tolerated postoperatively. A knee immobilizer was worn for approximately 2 weeks when adequate muscular control of the leg was attained. The cable was removed 6-8 weeks postoperatively, at which time range of motion equal to the opposite extremity was sought. Full extension was obtained by 1 week postoperatively. Average postoperative knee flexion was 88 degrees at 2 weeks, 112 degrees at 1 month, 133 at 3 months, and 138 degrees at 6 months compared to flexion of 141 degrees in the noninvolved knee. Mean quadriceps muscle strength 1 year postoperatively was 72%+/-11% of the noninvolved leg. No patient had patella infera or rerupture after surgery. Repair of a patellar tendon rupture with end-to-end techniques reinforced with a Dall-Miles cable allows immediate rehabilitation without the need for prolonged immobilization. This technique allows restoration of full range of motion early postoperatively and enables patients to regain adequate quadriceps strength.     

Arthroscopic bone tunnel augmentation for rotator cuff repair

Transosseous repair of the rotator cuff has been shown to recreate the anatomic rotator cuff footprint in a secure and cost-efficient manner. However, the potential for sutures cutting through bone remains a concern with this strategy. Devices have been used successfully during open transosseous rotator cuff repair to augment the bone tunnels, potentially avoiding suture cut-out through the weak bone of the greater tuberosity. Recently, arthroscopic transosseous fixation of rotator cuff tears has become an alternative to arthroscopic suture anchor and open transosseous techniques. This method is expected to have the same potential pitfalls at the bone-suture interface as the open technique. The authors describe a technique for rotator cuff repair using a secure method of arthroscopic bone tunnel augmentation.     

Transpatellare Refixation der frischen patellanahen Quadrizepssehnenruptur mittels FiberWire®

OBJECTIVE: Reconstruction of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint by stable suture of the quadriceps tendon. Early functional treatment. INDICATIONS: Acute or partial disruption of the quadriceps tendon close to the proximal patella pole with loss of extensor function of the knee joint. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Open rupture of the quadriceps tendon with extended soft-tissue damage and high risk of or ongoing inflammation until healing of the soft tissues. Chronic quadriceps tendon rupture. Ruptures at the musculotendinous junction. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Supine positioning of the patient on a standard operating table with the knee in 30 degrees of flexion. Securing of the proximal tendon stump with two Bunnell sutures using no. 2 Fiber-Wire (Arthrex GmbH, Karlsfeld/Munich, Germany). Creation of a transverse, central trough in the superior pole of the patella. Transosseous refixation of the quadriceps tendon through longitudinal transpatellar drill holes. Intraoperative evaluation of the stability of the suture at 60 degrees of flexion. Repair of the retinacula with multiple interrupted sutures. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Partial weight bearing (15-25 kg) for 6 weeks. Knee orthesis for 6 weeks, with increase of the initially allowed flexion of 30 degrees every 2 weeks by another 30 degrees . Initially, continuous passive motion (CPM) and passive movement exercises up to 60 degrees of flexion. After discharge from hospital, outpatient physical therapy with prone active flexion exercises. At the beginning of the 5th week, start with active and passive extension of the knee joint. From the 7th week on, full weight bearing is allowed and coordinative and strengthening exercises should be commenced. Sport activities can gradually be taken up after 3 months. RESULTS: Early diagnosis, timely surgical repair and early functional treatment are important for the outcome of quadriceps tendon ruptures. With the presented method, ruptures close to the upper patella pole can be treated. The majority of quadriceps tendon ruptures takes place in this area since the avascular zone found here predisposes to degenerative changes.     

Pectoralis major tendon rupture: A biomechanical analysis of repair techniques

Rupture of the insertion of the pectoralis major muscle to the proximal humerus is becoming a common injury. Repair of these ruptures increases patient satisfaction, strength, and cosmesis, and shortens return to competitive sports. Several repair techniques have been described, but recently many surgeons are using suture anchors. The traditional repair technique uses transosseous sutures, but no study has biomechanically compared the strength of these two repair techniques in human cadavers. Twelve fresh‐frozen human shoulder specimens were dissected. The pectoralis major tendon insertion was cut from the bone and repaired using one of the two repair techniques: specimens were randomly assigned to transosseous trough with suture tied over bone versus four suture anchors. The fixation constructs were pulled to failure at 4 mm/s on a materials testing system. The mean ultimate failure load of the transosseous repairs was 611 N and the mean ultimate failure load of the suture anchor repair was 620 N. The mean stiffness of the transosseous repair was 32 and 28 N/mm for the suture anchor group. We found no statistically significant difference between these two repair techniques. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1783–1787, 2011     

Creation of transosseous patellar tunnels during extensor mechanism repair: technical note

Transosseous patellar tunnels commonly are used in the repair of acute or chronic patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon ruptures. Commonly, a small diameter (2.0-3.5 mm) drill bit is used to create these drill tunnels. However, drill bits are relatively brittle and susceptible to breakage. The use of a larger diameter smooth Steinmann pin (3/32") is recommended to create transosseous patellar tunnels to eliminate this potential complication.     

Pectoralis major transosseous equivalent repair with knotless anchors: Technical note and literature review

Introduction:Rupture of the pectoralis major (PM) tendon was initially described almost 2 centuries ago, but most of the reported injuries have occurred within the last 30 years. Options for repair have varied widely. The most common methods for repair depend on either transosseous sutures or suture anchors for fixation. Transosseous suture repair allows for docking the tendon into a trough at its anatomic insertion, but risks cortical breakage during suture passing. Our experience has confirmed the value and potential advantages of anchors for a secure fixation.Aims:To describe a variation of repair using knotless suture anchors and a burred trough to dock the tendon into its anatomic insertion.Conclusion:We describe a technique of a transosseous equivalent PM repair technique. To our knowledge, this is the first paper describing such a repair technique for PM rupture.