Two Cases of Biodegradable Suture Anchor Displacement Diagnosed with Ultrasonography following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Oh,  Joo Han; Song,  Byung Wook; Rhie,  Tae Yon

doi:2015.18.4.254

Clin Shoulder Elb > Volume 18(4); 2015 > Article

Case Report

Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow 2015;18(4):254-260.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2015.18.4.254 Published online December 31, 2015.

Two Cases of Biodegradable Suture Anchor Displacement Diagnosed with Ultrasonography following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Joo Han Oh, Byung Wook Song, Tae Yon Rhie

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
²Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nalgae Hospital, Seoul, Korea. wookari@empas.com

Received: 23 March 2015 • Revised: 17 May 2015 • Accepted: 31 May 2015

Abstract

With the advancement of shoulder arthroscopy, use of biodegradable suture anchors in the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears has increased. Because of the radiolucency of these anchors, radiography is not appropriate for early detection of anchor failure. Ultrasonography is an advantageous modality in visualizing biodegradable, radiolucent anchors on a real-time basis without risk of radiation exposure. We report on two cases of displacement of a biodegradable suture anchor diagnosed on ultrasonography during the postoperative follow- up, which has not been previously reported. Because this displacement could be missed in the postoperative follow up ultrasonography, we describe the ultrasonographic features of the displaced biodegradable anchors. Surgeons and radiologists should pay special attention to the possibility of displacement of the suture anchor in patients who underwent rotator cuff repairs using suture anchors.

Key Words: Rotator cuff; Ultrasonography; Suture anchors; Displacement