Repair for Torn Rotator Cuff

A new copolymer implant designed to fixate torn rotator cuff tissue back to bone requires no sutures and is simple and quick to insert. Called BioCuff, the bioresorbable screw and spiked washer implant is the product of Bionx Implants, Inc. (Blue Bell, PA, USA).

BioCuff has a number of advantages over metal implants, states Bionx. Revision surgery with resorbable implants is believed to be easier and safer. Since resorbable implants are radiolucent, they do not interfere with post-surgical radiographs. In addition, resorbable implants allow for a gradual loss of stiffness to reduce the stress shielding and tissue necrosis associated with metal implants.

"Through my clinical testing, I have found the product to be an excellent alternative to metal suture anchors and transosseous tunnels for tissue re-approximation,” noted Dr. James Tasto, the surgeon who developed BioCuff. "BioCuff also works well in conjunction with sutures and anchors to enhance their effectiveness.