Clinical Research Studies

The purpose of this study is to study the effects of nonmetallic suture anchors on the bones of the hand and wrist. Suture anchors are common orthopaedic implants which are frequently used in surgery. They allow surgeons to reliably perform soft tissue repairs and reconstructions (i.e. ligament surgery, tendon surgery, etc.). You have been identified as patient who has had a suture anchor used in the past. Specifically, the study will examine whether the use of suture anchors causes resorption of the bone in which it is used. This is called osteolysis, and occurs when a reaction in the bone causes the body to reabsorb some of the bone. The research will look to see if this occurs naturally over time, if the size or material of the anchor has an effect on this process, and most importantly, whether this process causes any pain or functional deficit to the patient or if it is simply a harmless, naturally occurring phenomenon.