Biomechanical comparison of stability and strength between suture anchor fixation and bone tunnel methods of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries occur frequently in baseball players, and UCL reconstruction is performed when conservative treatment fails.However, a simpler method is required to make the procedure easier and reduce complications.Purpose: This study aimed to compare the novel all-suture anchor method of UCL reconstruction with the established Ito method, by investigating the displacement against valgus torque and stiffness.Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities (average age of 82.0 years) were utilized in this study.To evaluate the displacement against valgus torque, the valgus stability test was performed for four anterior oblique ligament (AOL) conditions: intact AOL, resected AOL, reconstructed using the anchor method, and reconstructed using the Ito method.The load-to-failure test was performed to evaluate the failure strength of the anchor and Ito methods.P < 0.05 was considered significant in tests of statistical inference.Results: The displacements of the intact AOL and anchor method were significantly greater than those of the resected AOL at both 60° and 90° flexion (intact AOL: P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively; and anchor method: P = 0.024 and P < 0.001, respectively).The displacement of the Ito method at 90° of flexion was significantly greater than that of the resected AOL (P = 0.003), but no significant difference was observed at 60° flexion (P = 0.109).Moreover, there was no significant difference in displacement between the anchor and Ito methods at any angle of flexion, nor was there any significant differences in the failure torque between the anchor (16.3±3.1 N･m) and Ito (17.6±2.3N･m) methods (P = 0.537). Conclusion:The displacement and failure strength against a valgus load of UCL reconstruction using a suture anchor on the ulnar side were equal to those using bone tunnels.
DOI: 10.20776/900122878
Author: INAGAKI, Kenta
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7144192106