Osteointegration of a Biocomposite Suture Anchor After Arthroscopic Shoulder Labral Repair.

Purpose: To evaluate osteoconductivity of a poly-L-lactide co-glycolide (PLG)-calcium sulfate (CS)-β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) biocomposite suture anchor after arthroscopic shoulder labral repair.

Methods: The subjects of this study were patients who participated in a clinical trial for acquisition of marketing approval of a PLG-CS-β-TCP biocomposite anchor in Japan. They underwent arthroscopic labral repair using the anchor, and computed tomographic (CT) images of the glenoid were obtained 2 years after surgery. Osteoconductivity at the anchor sites was evaluated with the CT images using the established ossification quality score. Shoulder function scores including the Rowe score and Japanese Shoulder Society shoulder instability score were also assessed 2 years after surgery.

Results: CT images and functional scores were obtained from 37 patients, comprising 29 men and 8 women with a mean age of 29 years (range, 25-33 years) at surgery. A total of 148 anchors were implanted in the 37 shoulders. Osteoconductivity was seen in 133 of 148 anchor sites (90.0%) 2 years after implantation. No significant differences in osteoconductivity were found by anchor diameter or position. The Rowe score significantly improved from 39.9 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.8-45.9 points) preoperatively to 96.6 points (95% CI, 95.1-98.1 points) at 2 years postoperatively (P < .001). The Japanese Shoulder Society shoulder instability score also significantly improved, from 63.1 points (95% CI, 58.4-67.7 points) preoperatively to 96.3 points (95% CI, 94.7-97.8 points) at 2 years postoperatively (P < .001).

Conclusions: Biocomposite suture anchors made of PLG, CS, and β-TCP exhibited some osteoconductivity 2 years after arthroscopic labral repair, as well as good clinical outcomes.

Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.