[Tensile strength of various anchor systems in surgical correction of instability of the shoulder joint].

Commercially available fixation devices used for reattachment of capsuloligamentous tissue to the glenoid rim were tested until they failed in 42 human cadaveric shoulders, and compared to the tension strength of the standard Bankart procedure and that of the intact anterior capsule. The bone quality in the glenoid was measured by quantitative computed tomography, which allowed selective quantification of cortical and cancellous quantification of cortical and cancellous bone. The mean load at failure perpendicular to the bone surface varied from 90 to 115 N and was lower than in the standard Bankart procedure (127 N). All suture anchors demonstrated similar holding strength with the exception of an absorbable wedge (P < 0.05). Due to reduced mineral content in the inferior part of the glenoid, the fixation strength of all suture anchors was significantly decreased. In more than 20% a tension load of 100 N caused the suture anchor to pull out, but in general the fixation strength was limited by the suture attachment and the quality of the soft tissues. These data together with the first clinical results of 49 cases of anterior instability operated on between 1988 and 1992 allow the conclusion to be made that this modification will provide sufficient stability for early mobilization after surgical repair.