Evaluation of repair of the hip labrum under simulated full weight-bearing

Abstract

Introduction: Repairs of labral tears are performed for unstable tears, hip instability, and after detachment concomitant to the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), but limited data is known about the strength of repair. This study evaluated the effect of simulated axial weight-bearing on suture anchor based repair of the acetabular labrum.

Methods: 3 cadaveric pelvises underwent creation of a 1.5 cm anterior-superior labral tear in each hip. The tears were then repaired using 2 suture anchors per hip. Following repair, the hip joint underwent axial cyclic loading to 756 N, and were inspected for separation of the labrum from the acetabulum. The strength of the suture anchor repair was evaluated by testing load to failure, in-line with insertion.

Results: Upon visual examination, all 6 repairs remained fully intact following loading with no visible gap formation or damage at the repair site. In all cases an arthroscopic probe could not be inserted under the edge of the repair. The mean failure force of the 12 suture anchors, in-line with insertion, was 154 N ± 44 N.

Conclusions: Acetabular labral suture anchor repairs may be able to immediately withstand the physiological loads of axial weight-bearing. Labral repair may be able to tolerate axial weight-bearing immediately after repair, preserving the strength and integrity of muscles and soft tissues.