Can Suture Tape Help Your Rotator Cuff Heal Better

Yes, suture tape can help the rotator cuff heal better. Many people get worried about shoulder surgery. Doctors now use new tools and ways that help people heal better. Suture tape and knotless anchors make fixing the shoulder stronger and safer.

Patients should think about these choices. They can ask their doctor if suture tape could help their shoulder injury.

Key Takeaways

• Suture tape is a strong and flat material. It helps fix torn tendons in the shoulder. This makes healing safer and better. Using suture tape in surgery can make repairs stronger. It spreads pressure evenly. This lowers the chance of the tendon tearing again. Patients often feel less pain with suture tape. They may heal faster than with regular sutures. This helps them get back to normal activities sooner. Knotless anchors work with suture tape to hold the tendon. They do not need knots. This can lower problems and make surgery quicker. Suture tape has many good points. Patients should talk to their doctor about risks and if it is right for them before surgery.

Suture tape in rotator cuff repair

What is suture tape

Suture tape is a special type of material that surgeons use to repair torn tendons in the shoulder. It looks flat and wide, almost like a tiny ribbon, instead of round like regular stitches. This design helps spread out the force on the tendon. Suture tape is made from strong, braided fibers. These fibers give it more strength than traditional suture wire. Surgeons often choose suture tape because it can hold the tendon tightly without cutting into the tissue.

Suture tape gives doctors a new way to fix the rotator cuff. It helps make the repair stronger and safer for patients.

How suture tape is used

Doctors use suture tape during rotator cuff surgery to connect the torn tendon back to the bone. They thread the tape through the tendon and anchor it to the bone using special devices. These anchors hold the tape in place so the tendon can heal.

Surgeons often use suture tape with knotless anchors. This method avoids tying knots, which can sometimes cause problems. The flat shape of suture tape helps prevent the tape from pulling through the tendon. This means the repair is less likely to fail.

• Suture tape increases the contact area between the tendon and bone.

• It provides greater strength than regular suture wire.

• The tape helps keep the tendon stable while it heals.

Studies show that repairs using suture tape have a higher chance of success. The tape’s design allows for better healing and less risk of the tendon tearing again. Many doctors now prefer suture tape for rotator cuff repairs because it offers these important benefits.

Suture tape benefits

Stronger repair

Suture tape makes the rotator cuff repair stronger. Its flat and wide shape spreads pressure over more of the tendon. This helps stop the tape from cutting into the tissue. Surgeons see that suture tape repairs can take more force before breaking. The table below shows how suture tape and traditional sutures compare:

The table and chart show suture tape repairs have higher contact pressure. They can also handle more force before breaking. This means the tendon stays attached to the bone better while healing.

Less tissue damage

Suture tape causes less damage to the tissue than regular sutures. Its flat shape makes a bigger hole at first, but it protects the tendon from tearing when you move. Researchers found some benefits:

• Tape-type sutures make bigger holes at first, but these holes do not get much bigger later.

• Regular sutures start with smaller holes, but these holes get bigger with movement and can hurt the tendon.

• Tape-type sutures help stop suture pull-out, which is a common reason repairs fail.

Suture tape helps keep the tendon strong and healthy while it heals.

Better healing

People who get suture tape repairs often heal well and have strong shoulders. Studies show the retear rate for suture tape anchors is 11.1%. For regular suture anchors, it is 12.0%. The difference is small, but both ways help the tendon heal well. Doctors use MRI scans to check healing after suture tape repairs. In one study, only 5.56% of repairs failed, and most people had great shoulder scores.

• Most people with suture tape repairs score over 80 on shoulder tests.

• MRI scans show strong tendon healing in most cases.

Suture tape gives people a good choice for rotator cuff repair, with strong healing and good shoulder movement.

Suture tape vs. sutures

Healing and outcomes

Doctors look at how suture tape and regular sutures help healing. Both ways help the tendon stick to the bone. There are some differences between them. Six months after surgery, the tape group had a 25% retear rate. The regular suture group had a 15% retear rate. Researchers say these numbers are not very different (P = 0.3). People in both groups have about the same chance for good healing.

• Suture tape group: 25% retear rate (7 out of 28 patients)

• Standard suture group: 15% retear rate (8 out of 53 patients)

• Healing is about the same for both groups

Doctors keep studying which way works best for each person. Healing depends on things like age, how active you are, and how big the tear is.

Recovery experience

People want to know how their shoulder will feel after surgery. Pain and how fast they heal are important to everyone. Studies show people with suture tape repairs feel less pain in the first month. The table below shows pain and medicine use for each group:

People with suture tape repairs use less pain medicine. They also get back to normal life faster. Most return to sports in 5.71 months. People with regular sutures need more time and more pain medicine.

People who pick suture tape may hurt less and heal faster after rotator cuff surgery.

Knotless anchors

How knotless anchors work

Knotless anchors let doctors attach suture tape to bone. They do not need to tie knots. The anchor fits snugly in a small hole in the bone. It has two holes for the suture tape. The doctor pulls the tape through these holes. The tape goes into the anchor’s tunnel. Inside, a locking part pushes the tape against the anchor. This keeps the tape from moving. The tendon stays in place. The doctor uses a trigger to set the anchor. After this, the tape stays locked. It holds the tendon to the bone.

• The anchor fits tightly in the bone hole.

• Two holes let the tape go inside the anchor.

• A lock inside the anchor keeps the tape tight.

• The trigger helps lock the anchor and tape together.

Advantages over knots

Knotless anchors have many good points over knots. They help stop problems like squeezing the tendon too much. Knots can press the tendon too hard. This can slow blood flow and healing. Studies show knotless repairs lower the chance of tendon problems.

Knotless anchors also save time during surgery. Doctors spend less time tying knots. One study showed knotless repairs took about 67 minutes. Knotted repairs took almost 76 minutes. Each knotless anchor took about 26 minutes. Knotted anchors took about 31 minutes. Shorter surgery can mean less pain and faster healing.

Knotless anchors with suture tape help protect the tendon, keep blood moving, and make surgery faster and safer.

Risks and considerations

Possible downsides

Suture tape has many good points, but there are some risks too. Doctors have found a few things that can go wrong when using suture tape for rotator cuff repair:

• Stiffness: Some people feel their shoulder gets stiff after surgery. The strong hold of suture tape can make it hard to move if you do not do the right therapy.

• Irritation: The tape or anchors can sometimes bother the tissue or bone. This can cause pain or swelling in the area.

• Anchor problems: Sometimes, the anchor holding the tape can get loose or move. If this happens, the repair might not work.

• Cost: Suture tape and knotless anchors can cost more than regular sutures. Insurance might not pay for the extra cost.

Note: Most people do not have big problems, but everyone should know about these risks before surgery.

The table below shows some side effects that can happen:

When not to use suture tape

Doctors do not use suture tape for every person. Some situations make it less helpful or even risky:

• Very small tears: For tiny rotator cuff tears, regular sutures can work just as well.

• Poor bone quality: Weak or thin bone might not hold the anchor well. This can make the repair fail.

• Allergy: Some people might be allergic to the materials in the tape or anchor.

• Infection risk: If someone has an infection, doctors do not use any implant, including suture tape.

Doctors always look at each patient’s needs. They pick the best way to fix the shoulder for each person.

Patients should talk with their doctor about these risks. The doctor can help decide if suture tape is the best choice.

Suture tape and knotless anchors make repairs stronger. They also cause less damage to tissue. Healing is better for rotator cuff injuries. The table below shows how contact force and pressure are improved compared to wires:

Patients feel less pain after surgery. Their shoulder works better. Most people are happy with their results. Patients should talk to their surgeon about choices. New tools and ways keep getting better. This means shoulder recovery will keep improving in the future.

FAQ

What makes suture tape different from regular sutures?

Suture tape is flat and looks like a small ribbon. Regular sutures look more like thin strings. The tape spreads pressure over a bigger area. This helps keep the tendon safe and makes the repair stronger.

Can everyone use suture tape for rotator cuff repair?

Not all patients can get suture tape. Doctors look at how big the tear is. They also check if the bone is strong and if you have allergies. The doctor picks what is best for each person.

Does suture tape speed up recovery?

Many people feel less pain with suture tape. They can get back to activities sooner. The tape holds the tendon tight. This helps the shoulder heal better.

Are there risks with suture tape and knotless anchors?

Some people may feel stiff or sore after surgery. Sometimes, the anchor can move or hurt. Doctors talk about these risks before the surgery.