TY - JOUR
T1 - Mechanical Properties of Bioabsorbable Meniscal Arrows as a Function of Tear Location
T2 - An Ex Vivo Experimental Study
AU - Jani, Mihir M.
AU - Silva, Matthew J.
AU - Gregush, Ron V.
AU - Matava, Matthew J.
PY - 2004/4
Y1 - 2004/4
N2 - Background: Ex vivo studies have established that arrow fixation of meniscal tears is inferior to vertical sutures and is dependent on arrow length, although the influence of tear location is not known. Hypothesis: Arrow length and tear location influence the mechanical properties of meniscal arrows. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A longitudinal incision was created either 2 mm or 7 mm from the periphery in 70 bovine medial menisci. Each was repaired with a meniscal arrow (10, 13, or 16 mm) or a single vertical suture and subjected to load-to-failure testing and videographic analysis. Results: Mode of failure (P < .0001), maximum force (P < .0001), stiffness (P < .01), 2-mm gap force (P < .03), and ultimate gap formation (P < .002) were all directly related to arrow length. Sixteen-mm arrows and suture exhibited similar, superior mechanical properties. Tear location significantly influenced properties of 10-mm and 16-mm but not 13-mm arrows. Ten-millimeter arrows displayed the worst performance. Conclusions: Mechanical properties of meniscal arrows depend on tear location and arrow length. Clinical Relevance: Sixteen-millimeter arrows are a possible alternative to suture for repair of central tears. Thirteen-millimeter arrows may be effective for central and peripheral tears. Ten-millimeter arrows should not be used.
AB - Background: Ex vivo studies have established that arrow fixation of meniscal tears is inferior to vertical sutures and is dependent on arrow length, although the influence of tear location is not known. Hypothesis: Arrow length and tear location influence the mechanical properties of meniscal arrows. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A longitudinal incision was created either 2 mm or 7 mm from the periphery in 70 bovine medial menisci. Each was repaired with a meniscal arrow (10, 13, or 16 mm) or a single vertical suture and subjected to load-to-failure testing and videographic analysis. Results: Mode of failure (P < .0001), maximum force (P < .0001), stiffness (P < .01), 2-mm gap force (P < .03), and ultimate gap formation (P < .002) were all directly related to arrow length. Sixteen-mm arrows and suture exhibited similar, superior mechanical properties. Tear location significantly influenced properties of 10-mm and 16-mm but not 13-mm arrows. Ten-millimeter arrows displayed the worst performance. Conclusions: Mechanical properties of meniscal arrows depend on tear location and arrow length. Clinical Relevance: Sixteen-millimeter arrows are a possible alternative to suture for repair of central tears. Thirteen-millimeter arrows may be effective for central and peripheral tears. Ten-millimeter arrows should not be used.
KW - Arrows
KW - Biomechanics
KW - Meniscus
KW - Repair
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=1942503278&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0363546503261735
DO - 10.1177/0363546503261735
M3 - Article
C2 - 15090383
AN - SCOPUS:1942503278
SN - 0363-5465
VL - 32
SP - 666
EP - 674
JO - American Journal of Sports Medicine
JF - American Journal of Sports Medicine
IS - 3
ER -