The strength of surgical repairs of the rotator cuff. A biomechanical

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study on cadavers. Sward-L. Hughes-J-S. Amis-A. Wallace-W-A. Department of Orthopaedic and Accident Surgery, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, England. J-Bone-Joint-Surg-[Br]. 1992 Jul. 74(4). P 585-8. Using 26 cadaver shoulders, we produced a standard defect in the supraspinatus tendon and performed one of three types of repair. Their strength was found by testing in tension the force required to produce a gap of 3 mm, then 6 mm, and finally total disruption of the repair. The use of a polyethylene patch to spread the forces over the lateral bone surface and of extra sutures to grasp the tendon end raised by 2.6 times the load at which a 3 mm gap in the repair occurred and by 1.7 times the load to failure. Author-abstract.