Clinical results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using knotless anchor, and the relation to knot impingement

Abstract

Background: We reported about knot impingement after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The cause of knot impingement is thought to be the knots of the suture anchor. Considering the reddish synovitis in bursa and crater-like acromial erosion, the cause of knot impingement may be not only mechanical impingement but also some kind of chemical factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between using knotless anchor and knot impingement.
Methods: We treated 109 rotator cuff tear patients operated on using knotless anchor. The morphology of the acromion was evaluated by 3DCT. Clinical results were evaluated according to JOA score.
Results: There was no severe type of knot impingement in any patients. The mild type was existed in 4%. The incidence of knot impingement decreased.
Conclusion: We supposed that using knotless anchor is to prevent from knot impingement.