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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 33/8/1160    most recent 0363546504272264v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (3) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Drogset, J. O. Articles by Tegnander, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Drogset, J. O. Articles by Tegnander, A. Related Collections Reconstruction Graft fixation

Endoscopic Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Grafts Fixed With Bioabsorbable or Metal Interference Screws

A Prospective Randomized Study of the Clinical Outcome

From the Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital in Trondheim, Trondheim, Norway

^* Address correspondence to Jon Olav Drogset, MD, Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital in Trondheim, N-7006 Trondheim, Norway (e-mail: Jon.O.Drogset{at}medisin.ntnu.no).

Background: During the past decade, bioabsorbable interference screws have become increasingly popular in endoscopic reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament. With these screws, there is no need for a second operation for removal and no complicating factor if later revision surgery is necessary. Several pullout studies have found similar results between metal and bioabsorbable interference screws; however, few studies have investigated the clinical outcome.

Hypothesis: There is no difference in the clinical outcome of bioabsorbable interference screws compared with metal screws.

Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: Forty-one patients were randomized for the use of either metal interference screws (20 patients) or bioabsorbable poly-L-lactic acid screws (21 patients). The patients were followed with clinical examinations at 6, 12, and 24 weeks and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively.

Results: Subjective knee function was better in the patients in the metal screw group; they had less pain at rest, a higher Tegner score, a higher Lysholm score, and better subjective knee function at 2 years compared to the bioabsorbable screw group. However, there was no difference in stability between the groups.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Because of the inferior results in the bioabsorbable screw group in our study, and until larger studies show otherwise, we do not find the advantages of using bioabsorbable screws sufficient to warrant the routine use of poly-L-lactic acid screws in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Key Words: anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction • bioabsorbable interference screw • poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) • anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture • patellar tendon graft

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. O. Drogset, T. Grontvedt, and G. Myhr Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Bioabsorbable Interference Screws Used for Fixation of Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autografts in Endoscopic Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2006; 34(7): 1164 - 1169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]