Abstract

This study evaluated the biomechanical properties of modified Herbert screws as the suture anchor in repairing patellar ligament. In screw group, the damaged patellar ligaments were repaired with modified Herbert screws as the suture anchor, but they are simply sutured in suture group. The patellar ligaments in two groups were treated with above-mentioned methods, respectively. Four weeks later, the patellar ligaments were observed and measured. For goat knee joints, mean tensile force at failure was (71.13 ± 14.23) Newton (N) in the screw group and (46.09 ± 8.41) N in the suture group, respectively, (p < 0.05). Mean maximum tensile force in the screw and suture groups was (80.46 ± 11.73) N and (54.60 ± 9.79) N, respectively, (p<0.05). For hind legs of hybrid dogs, there were 5 cases of patellar ligament with complete healing in the screw group, while 2 cases in the suture group. Mean tensile force at failure was (202.99 ± 12.17) N in the screw group and (162.41 ± 15.80) N in the suture group, respectively, (p<0.05). Mean maximum tensile force was (219.69 ± 15.73) N in the screw group and (177.92 ± 15.31) N in the suture group, respectively, (p<0.05). It was a good therapeutic method to repair torn ligaments near to their insertions with the modified Herbert screws as the suture anchor. 

Key words: Herbert screw, modification, ligament, repair.