Unlocking New Possibilities in Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Repair: The benefits of SF Push-in Anchor 2.3 for Thumb Stability

The SF Push-in Anchor 2.3 with SupraFusion^® Technology addresses challenges in ulnar collateral ligament repair through cancellous bone fixation, offering a unique solution with high patient satisfaction and functional recovery.

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries can lead to thumb instability, reduced grip and pinch strength, and limited range of motion. UCL repair at the thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is particularly challenging in cases involving fragmentary or small avulsions. Traditional fixation techniques may fail due to reliance on cortical bone, especially in compromised bone quality or anatomy.

In this prospective clinical study, Kastenberger et al [1] evaluated 24 patients who underwent UCL repair at the MCP joint using the bioabsorbable SF Push-in Anchor 2.3, fixed at the bone interface with SupraFusion^® Technology (Figure 1). Postoperatively follow-ups were conducted at 12 and 52 weeks [1].

At 52 weeks, pain was minimal, with low mean VAS scores at rest (0.2 ± 0.7) and during load (0.6 ± 1.0) (Figure 2a). DASH disability scores improved significantly (Figure 2a), while 81% of patients reported being "very satisfied” (Figure 2b ).

Results obtained can be attributed to the innovative design of SF Push-in Anchor 2.3, which achieves secure fixation by infiltrating porous cancellous bone. This maximizes the bone-implant interface along the implant’s length, enhancing stability while addressing challenges such as fragmentary avulsions. SF Push-in Anchor 2.3 with SupraFusion^® Technology provides a unique and effective fixation strategy for advanced scenarios, providing smaller and resorbable implants with high pull-out strength thereby expanding treatment possibilities for challenging UCL injuries.

References

[1] T. Kastenberger, P. Kaiser, G. Schmidle, K. Stock, S. Benedikt, and R. Arora, ‘Clinical results of the BoneWelding®Fiji® anchor for the treatment of Stener lesions of the thumb’, Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, vol. 141, no. 9, pp. 1499–1507, Sep. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s00402-020-03625-x.

Figure 1. Schematic view of the implantation of the SF Push-in Anchor 2.3.

Figure 2. Pain, Dash Scores (a) and patient satisfaction (b) 52 weeks postsurgery