The use of anchors in shoulder surgery: a shift from metallic to bioabsorbable anchors

Abstract

With major advances in arthroscopy, suture anchors became the primary devices used to assist in fixing soft tissues to bone. Metallic anchors were first produced and used in soft tissue fixation around the shoulder. However, their use resulted in some reported complications, including articular surface damage from migrating implants and distortion and artifact production in postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Bioabsorbable anchors were developed to avoid these problems. Their newer versions were proven to have pulling-out strength equal to that of metallic anchors, with a reported lower complication rate. This had led to a major shift away from metallic anchors toward bioabsorbable anchors.