Failure strengths in distal biceps tendon repair.

Background: Surgical repair is the most favored treatment for a rupture of the distal biceps tendon. A variety of techniques have been described for distal biceps tendon reattachment, including transosseous sutures, suture anchors, interference screws, and an EndoButton-based technique.

Hypothesis: EndoButton and suture anchor have initially stronger fixation strengths than do transosseous sutures, allowing early postoperative rehabilitation.

Proximal humeral fractures: regional differences in bone mineral density of the humeral head affect the fixation strength of cancellous screws.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 3-dimensional trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) in the humeral head and determine the effects of trabecular BMD on the pullout strength of cancellous screws. Five regions of interest (ROIs) were defined in the humeral head (superior- anterior, superior-posterior, central, inferior-anterior, and inferior-posterior). The trabecular BMD of each ROI was determined by use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

Quantitative morphology of the scapula: normal variation of the superomedial scapular angle, and superior and inferior pole thickness.

This study examined the normal variation of the superomedial scapular angle and the thickness of the superior and inferior scapular borders. Scapulae of 53 cadaver shoulders were dissected free from all soft tissue. A line was drawn from the most superior to the most inferior point on each scapula, and the scapulae were cut along this line to obtain cross sections.

Anchor design and bone mineral density affect the pull-out strength of suture anchors in rotator cuff repair: which anchors are best to use in patients with low bone quality?

Background: Different metal and biodegradable suture anchors are available for rotator cuff repair. Poor bone quality may result in anchor loosening and tendon rerupture.

Hypotheses: Higher bone mineral density is associated with higher pull-out strength of suture anchors.

Variations in glenoid rim anatomy: implications regarding anchor insertion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate normal bony anatomy of the glenoid rim and to define the angles for successful anchor placement for anterior and posterior labral repairs.

Type Of Study: An anatomic study using cadaveric shoulder specimens.

Methods: Soft tissue was dissected from 20 cadaveric shoulders, and the glenoids were isolated.

Pullout strength of suture anchors used in rotator cuff repair.

Background: Surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears may be complicated by osteoporosis of the proximal part of the humerus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pullout strength of suture anchors is affected by the location of the anchor placement and by bone mineral density. We hypothesized that higher bone mineral density is associated with higher pullout strength of suture anchors.

Magnetic resonance imaging in quantitative analysis of rotator cuff muscle volume.

Tears of the rotator cuff are accompanied by muscle atrophy, which has direct implications on patient outcome after rotator cuff surgery. However, no reliable method exists to determine muscle volumes in situ. The current authors evaluated the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing rotator cuff muscle volumes.

The cortical thickness of the proximal humeral diaphysis predicts bone mineral density of the proximal humerus.

The operative treatment of fractures of the proximal humerus can be complicated by poor bone quality. Our aim was to evaluate a new method which allows prediction of the bone quality of the proximal humerus from radiographs. Anteroposterior radiographs were taken of 19 human cadaver humeri.

Anatomy of the superior glenoid rim. Repair of superior labral anterior to posterior tears.

Background: Successful placement of a fixation device on the superior glenoid rim during superior labrum repairs requires accurate knowledge of the glenoid rim anatomy.

Purpose: To investigate the normal bony anatomy of the superior glenoid rim.

Study Design: Descriptive anatomic study.