Reattachment of the flexor and extensor tendons at the epicondyle in elbow instability: a biomechanical comparison of techniques

Lenich, Andreas and Pfeifer, Christian and Proier, Philipp and Fleer, Roman and Wijdicks, Coen and Roth, Martina and Martetschlaeger, Frank and Pogorzelski, Jonas (2018) Reattachment of the flexor and extensor tendons at the epicondyle in elbow instability: a biomechanical comparison of techniques. BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, 19: 432. ISSN 1471-2474,

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Abstract

BackgroundElbow dislocation represents a common injury, especially in the younger population. If treated surgically, the reattached tendons require a high amount of primary stability to allow for an early rehabilitation to avoid postoperative stiffness. The purpose of this study was to assess the biomechanical properties of a single and a double row technique for reattachment of the common extensor and common flexor muscles origin. We hypothesized that the double row technique would provide greater stability in terms of pullout forces than the single row technique.MethodsTwelve cadaveric specimens were randomized into two groups of fixation methods for the common extensor tendon or the common flexor tendon at the elbow (1): a single row technique using two knotted 3.0mm suture anchors, and (2) a double row technique using an additional knotless 3.5mm anchor. The repairs were cyclically loaded over 500cycles at 1Hz from 10N to a maximum of 100N (extensors) or 150N (flexors), and then pulled to failure. Stiffness and maximum load at failure and mode of failure were recorded and calculated.ResultsNo significant differences in stiffness were observed between the two techniques for both the extensor and flexor reattachment (P=0.701 and P=0.306, respectively). The mean maximum load at failure indicated that the double row construct was significantly stronger than the single row construct. This was found to be true for both the extensor and flexor reattachment (213.6; SD 78.7N versus 384.1; SD 105.6N, P=0.010 and 203.7; SD 65.8N versus 318.0; SD 64.6N, P=0.013, respectively).ConclusionsThe double row technique provides significant greater stability to the reattached common flexor or extensor origin to the medial or lateral epicondyle. Thus, it should be considered in the development of improved repair techniques for stabilizers of the elbow.Study designControlled laboratory study.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: DISLOCATIONS; REPAIR; CLASSIFICATION; SUTURE; Elbow; Dislocation; Reattachment; Common extensor muscle origin; Common flexor muscle origin
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Unfallchirurgie
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 04 Oct 2019 07:10
Last Modified: 04 Oct 2019 07:10
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/13374

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