Effect of structural parameters, knotting methods, and wet state on the tensile properties of sutures for orthopedic surgery

With the popularity of sports and fitness, the chances of sports injuries for people have increased. Orthopedic sutures play an important role in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns, with excellent tensile, compressive, impact strength, abrasion resistance, and chemical stability, are competitive materials for the preparation of sutures, but the tensile properties of sutures in knotted and wet environments are more informative in practical applications. In this paper, the effects of different structural parameters, knotting methods, and environments on the physical properties of nonabsorbable UHMWPE sutures, including appearance, breaking force, and breaking elongation, were investigated. The results showed that sutures with circular cross-sections had the best tensile properties; the loop knot gave the suture the greatest breaking strength, but also the smallest elongation, and the more complex the knot, the greater the elongation of the suture; dry and wet conditions have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of sutures. It is expected that this study will provide theoretical support for the optimal design of sutures and provide a basis for doctors to choose the knotting method.