Osteolysis Following the Use of Polyetheretherketone Suture Anchors in Hand and Wrist Surgery: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate and describe the presence of osteolysis after implantation of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) suture anchors in the hand and wrist.

Methods: Patients who underwent hand or wrist surgery using PEEK suture anchor(s) at a large academic institution from January 2019 to January 2021 were identified. Patients without accessible intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging were excluded. Patient demographics, type of procedure, and suture anchor material were recorded. The suture anchor tunnel size was measured on sequential radiographs and recorded as percentage change. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings.

Results: A total of 26 PEEK suture anchors in 14 patients were included, with an average follow-up of 12.0 months (range, 1.5-24.1 months). Twenty-seven percent of the anchors (7/26) demonstrated osteolysis at final follow-up, as defined by enlargement of tunnel size by >30%. In all anchors, the tunnel size increased by 19.1% on average (range, -7.7% to 56.1%) by final follow-up.

Conclusions: Polyetheretherketone suture anchors may be associated with the development of osteolysis in hand and wrist surgery. The clinical implications of osteolysis in the smaller bones of the hand and wrist remain unclear.

Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic IV.

Keywords: Complication; PEEK; osteolysis; suture anchor.