Bio-Absorbable Suture Anchors

Metallic implants have the potential to migrate into the joint. On the other hand, bio-absorbable screws have been shown to produce significant synovitis. Early resorption of bio-absorbable screws may lead to failure of a tendon-to-bone repair, and some authors have found a higher failure rate than with metallic suture anchors.

Foci of osteolysis around the implant, as well as foreign-body granuloma formation eliciting a reactive synovitis have been reported. The specific causes are not well-known, and mechanical factors may play as much of a role as the body's reaction to the implant. At times, these foci of osteolysis can coalesce, and create definite lytic areas visible on conventional radiography.

In any event, these episodes of synovitis tend to resolve by themselves, and newer materials are being developed on a constant basis to minimize these type of phenomena. The purpose of these newer materials (e.g. acid lactic compounds) is to optimize the timing of the degrading process: an early resorption tends to jeopardize the repair and elicit synovitis.


Bone marrow edema-like signal around the track of the bio-absorbable screw in the greater tuberosity. The rotator cuff is re-torn.

Suture anchors for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus showing similar inflammatory changes.

Two coronal intermediate sequences show reactive sinovitis.