Sports medicine

PEEK-OPTIMATM polymer arthroscopic solutions for soft tissue anchors and meniscal repair systems

PEEK-OPTIMA polymers in sports medicine devices

Used in applications such as suture anchors, interference screws, and meniscal repair devices, our highly biocompatible polymer can replace metal and bioabsorbable materials, helping to avoid allergic reactions and minimizing cystic formation. We enable design engineers with the properties to create the next generation of static and dynamic anchors to facilitate rapid return to physical activity.

APPLICATIONS

Supporting the medical industry for two decades, our PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymer solutions are proven across a range of specialty applications
Shoulder arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy

Suture anchors made using PEEK-OPTIMATM polymers  provide a strong, stable and highly versatile platform for optimal tissue-to-bone healing1,7.

The mechanical properties of PEEK-OPTIMA  deliver several clinical benefits over metals, bioabsorbable and other biomaterials:

  • design flexibility to incorporate complex functionality such as knotless retention of suture, allowing the surgeon to eliminate manual knot tying
  • significantly lower osteolysis
  • improved bone ongrowth9
Knee arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy

Tibial and femoral interference screw systems made from PEEK-OPTIMATM  polymers provide many structural properties needed when designing the next generation fixation system:

  • Cortical and cancellous thread forms can be molded or machined to provide the ideal bite for the target boney substrate
  • Strength to withstand the high torque loads encountered during graft impingement in the bone tunnel
  • Are radiolucent, allowing simple post-operative assessment of repairs before final tensioning and closure using standard imaging techniques2
  • Bio-inert to reduce the risk of patient reaction to devices implanted in the body2
Foot and ankle toe plate

Extremities

Pre-contoured anatomic plates for hand, foot & ankle applications, cannulated implants for proximal interphalangeal fusions, and wedges for osteotomies are examples where PEEK-OPTIMA polymers can drive superior performance, including:

  • Bioinert and biocompatible with modulus of elasticity close to cortical bone
  • Radiolucency allowing for a more accurate assessment of fusion3
  • Improved patient satisfaction4
  • Improved level of direct bone contact in as early as 4 weeks5
  • New bone formation as early as 6 weeks6

Get help with material selection from the #1 PEEK experts

Featured resources

The Trigon® Stand-Alone Osteotomy Wedge Fixation System
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First FDA clearance for an osteotomy wedge system made of PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced
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Footprint Suture Anchor System Smith  Nephew
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Learn about Smith & Newphew's12 low-profile, knotless repair system made with PEEK-OPTIMATM polymer
Watch now
Sports Medicine Shoulder Suture
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In2Bones launches innovative PEEK-OPTIMATM based Hercules™ Suture Anchor system11
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First foot and ankle implant
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Increasing Adoption of PEEK-based Devices for Hand and Foot Applications
Download article

References

1. Nho SJ, Provencher MT, Seroyer ST, Romeo AA. Arthroscopy. 2009 Jul.
2. Supportive information available on request.
3. Rhee PC, Shin AY. The rate of successful four-corner arthrodesis with a locking, dorsal circular polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK-Optima) plate. J Hand Surg Eur. Vol. 2013 Sep;38(7):767-73.
4. Harmer JL, et al. A Midterm Review of Lesser Toe Arthrodesis With an Intramedullary Implant. Foot Ankle Spec. 2017 Oct;10(5):458-464.
5. Walsh WR, et al. Does PEEK/HA Enhance Bone Formation Compared With PEEK in a Sheep Cervical Fusion Model? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Nov; 474(11): 2364–2372.
6. Study evaluated the in vivo response to PEEK-OPTIMA™ Natural, PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced and Supportive information available on request.
7. F. A. Barber, M.A. Herbert, C. Beavis, F. Orro; J. of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery; Vol. 24, No 8; 2008
8. Micic I, et al. Osteolysis is observed around both bioabsorbable and nonabsorbable anchors on serial magnetic resonance images of patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2019 Nov;53(6):414-419
9. Kim K, Kim Y, et al. A Comparison of Open-Construct PEEK Suture Anchor and Non-Vented Biocomposite Suture Anchor in Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. Arthroscopy.2020 Feb;36(2):389-396. 
10.Image: CFR-PEEK composite fusion plate X-ray image, courtesy of Carbofix.
11.Hercules™ Suture Anchor System is a registered trademark of In2Bones Inc.
12.FOOTPRINT◊  is a registered trademark of Smith & Nephew.