The labrum is a piece of fibrocartilage (rubbery tissue) attached to the rim of the shoulder socket that helps keep the ball of the joint in place. When this cartilage is torn, it is called a labral tear. Labral tears are often caused by a direct injury to the shoulder, such as falling on an outstretched hand. The labrum can also become torn from the wear and tear of activity, a condition called overuse. An injured labrum can lead to shoulder instability. The extra motion of the humerus within the socket causes additional damage to the labrum. An extremely unstable shoulder may slip or dislocate. This can also cause the labrum to tear.
The PushLock® is designed for simple and secure arthroscopic glenohumeral joint instability repair. The knotless technique saves valuable time and eliminates the possibility of knot impingement. The “Suture First” technique allows the surgeon to independently pass the suture through a desired amount of tissue prior to anchor implantation. Multiple suture configurations, including simple, cinch and mattress stitches, can be accomplished with FiberWire®, FiberLink®, FiberStick™ or new LabralTape suture options using the Labral Scorpion™ or QuickPass SutureLasso™. Tissue tension can be visualized and adjusted, if necessary, prior to final anchor implantation.