Final answer:
In a rotator cuff repair surgery, the suture anchor is used to reattach the torn tendons of the rotator cuff to the bone, addressing injuries often caused by repetitive motions like pitching in baseball.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a rotator cuff repair, the suture anchor is placed into the bone and then it is passed through the torn or retracted rotator cuff tendons ( deep subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor) to secure them back to the bone. These tendons connect the scapula to the humerus and form the cuff that stabilizes the shoulder joint. This procedure is commonly required for athletes like baseball pitchers, who may suffer from tears as a result of repetitive overhead throwing motions leading to pinching, inflammation, or detachment of the cuff from the bone. In the context of bone repair, such as fixing fractures of the humerus, stabilization of the bone through various methods like casting or surgical insertion of pins is crucial for the natural healing process to occur.