Biomechanical evaluation of a veterinary suture anchor in the canine cadaver pelvis and femur

Abstract

A commercially available veterinary suture anchor was tested in the acetabula and femurs of canine cadavers. Size #2 suture anchor constructs were compared to a traditional screw and Teflon spiked washer constructs in a model of coxofemoral luxation repair. The screw/washer constructs failed at a higher maximum load than the #2 anchor constructs. In the acetabulum, significant differences in strength were also found in the position of the implant and in the direction of pull. The constructs in a more caudal position, and constructs pulled 90 degrees to the axis of insertion, failed at higher loads. The predominant mode of failure of the constructs was a suture failure. In the femur, size #5 suture anchors were used in a model of cranial cruciate ligament repair and collateral ligament repair. The anchor constructs failed predominantly by anchor pull-out in the distal femur. The constructs pulled 90 degrees to the axis of insertion were stronger than construcs pulled at 0 degrees to the axis of insertion. Varying the location of the implant in the femur did not affect the maximum load to failure.