Novel Suture Anchor Facilitates Rotator Cuff Repair

The implant does not rely on bone quality for suture lock, since the suture is locked wholly within the implant and does rely on bone contact. The implant posses a 5.5 mm fully threaded design that locks securely within the bone to maximize fixation strength, since the implant ensures bone lock prior to the actual suture lock, helping to prevent the possibility of anchor "pull-back”. An independent tensioning feature allows the surgeon to tension the suture limbs either individually or together, so that the pressure can be evenly distributed on the tendon footprint area. The knotless nature of the technology also provides a low-profile repair.

The SpeedScrew is manufactured from the PEEK-OPTIMA polymer, which makes it radiolucent to both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray radiation. The SpeedScrew knotless fixation device is a product of ArthroCare (Austin, TX, USA), and is delivered to the implantation site with a proprietary delivery handle. The SpeedScrew is intended for use with the Opus AutoCuff implant system, enabling the surgeon to perform a secure knotless repair of the rotator cuff and restore the correct anatomic footprint.

"We're very excited about the launch of SpeedScrew,” said Jack Giroux, president of ArthroCare Sports Medicine. "Not only are we able to provide surgeons with independent tensioning of the sutures, independent fixation of the anchor and independent fixation of the sutures into the anchor, the unique design of this technology also allows the surgeon to remove the implant before or after final tensioning of the suture lock.”

The rotator cuff includes the six scapulohumeral muscles and associated tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder by maintaining glenohumeral (shoulder) joint stability. A torn rotator cuff can occur following a trauma to the shoulder or it can occur through "wear and tear" of the tendons, most commonly that of the supraspinatus, located under the acromion.

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