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Severe cartilage damage by broken poly–L–lactic acid (PLLA) interference screw after ACL reconstruction

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Poly–L–lactic acid (PLLA) bioabsorbable interference screws are widely used for fixation of tendon to bone and bone to bone in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions. Complications are rare. To our knowledge this is the first report of severe chondral damage caused by late breakage of the screw. Breakage of bioscrews has only been published in cases with tendon to bone fixation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe Seyler Strasse 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany

    Burkhard Lembeck & Nikolaus Wülker

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  1. Burkhard Lembeck
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  2. Nikolaus Wülker
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Correspondence to Burkhard Lembeck.

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Lembeck, B., Wülker, N. Severe cartilage damage by broken poly–L–lactic acid (PLLA) interference screw after ACL reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 13, 283–286 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0545-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0545-1

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