have been a great improvement in surgical visualization.
2
Knotless suture anchors
One of the more exciting things about arthroscopy today is that
we're doing large surgeries in a minimally invasive manner. This is
possible because of the advances in imaging systems, but also
because of technological advances in the implants we're using to per-
form these surgeries.
One example of these advances is knotless suture anchors. Suture
anchors are small, commonly polymer or metallic devices that are
attached to sutures and inserted directly into the bone. They are com-
monly used for fixing tendons and ligaments to bone. When a surgeon
has to manually tie knots to secure the anchors, it can slow down the
overall surgery process and add operating room time if the knot is
tied incorrectly. This can be an issue for busy hospitals or ASCs.
For example, consider a large arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. If
you're using 4 suture anchors to create a solid repair, you're talking
about several extra minutes per anchor — which can really add up
when you're doing multiple cases in a day.
That's why many busy, high-volume facilities can benefit from
knotless anchor technology. The latest knotless anchors perform
similarly to knotted anchors, but can be placed more quickly and
efficiently.
Another promising development is the advancements we've seen in
bioabsorbable suture anchor implants. These non-metal materials,
which eventually dissolve inside the patient, help surgeons because
they don't obscure post-operative imaging in the same way metal
implants do. Another benefit: Not having metal in the surgical field
makes it easier to perform revision surgeries.
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