INTRODUCTION: The standard treatment of ACL lesions has mainly lied on metal interference screws until the introduction of bioabsorbable materials. Fixation of autologous bone-patellar-tendon-bone with bioabsorbable screws has showed results comparable with metal screws without their disadvantages at short-term follow-up. Aim of this study was to analyse the medium-term clinical results and arthrometric, radiographic and imaging findings of PDLLA screws. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients have been included in this study. At time of ACL reconstruction, in 9 patients was performed partial meniscectomy (7 medial and 3 lateral). The average follow-up was 5,5 years (range, 4 to 7.8 yrs.). The final evaluation was performed according to the following clinical scores: IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm. All patients were submitted to KT-2000 test, comparative radiographic plains and MRI (FSE T2 FATSAT, SE T1, GRE T2*) study in order to investigate the longevity of the implant and adverse effects of this material. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student’s t test and 2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 85% of patients showed good or excellent clinical results. In 18 cases KT-2000 test was less than 3 mm in comparison with the opposite knee. Radiographic evaluation showed initial degenerative changes in 7 patients, 6 of whom underwent meniscectomy (p<0,005). At MRI, the screws were completely reabsorbed in all cases without any foreign body reaction. An average of 2.1 mm (range, 0.6 to 5 mm) at femoral side and 2.3 (range 0.7 to 7.6 mm) at tibial side enlargement was detected. In axial plain, the tunnel was shaped like an “8” in 3 cases at femoral and in 4 at tibial level. These findings were not statistically correlated to knee stability. In conclusion, the PDLLA interference screws represent a valid alternative to metal implants in ACL reconstructive surgery.
Bioabsorbable poly-d,l-lactic acid (PDLLA) interference screws fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: clinical, arthrometric, radiographic and imaging evaluation at medium-term follow-up
RONGA, MARIO;
2004-01-01
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The standard treatment of ACL lesions has mainly lied on metal interference screws until the introduction of bioabsorbable materials. Fixation of autologous bone-patellar-tendon-bone with bioabsorbable screws has showed results comparable with metal screws without their disadvantages at short-term follow-up. Aim of this study was to analyse the medium-term clinical results and arthrometric, radiographic and imaging findings of PDLLA screws. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients have been included in this study. At time of ACL reconstruction, in 9 patients was performed partial meniscectomy (7 medial and 3 lateral). The average follow-up was 5,5 years (range, 4 to 7.8 yrs.). The final evaluation was performed according to the following clinical scores: IKDC, Tegner and Lysholm. All patients were submitted to KT-2000 test, comparative radiographic plains and MRI (FSE T2 FATSAT, SE T1, GRE T2*) study in order to investigate the longevity of the implant and adverse effects of this material. Statistical analyses were carried out using Student’s t test and 2. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 85% of patients showed good or excellent clinical results. In 18 cases KT-2000 test was less than 3 mm in comparison with the opposite knee. Radiographic evaluation showed initial degenerative changes in 7 patients, 6 of whom underwent meniscectomy (p<0,005). At MRI, the screws were completely reabsorbed in all cases without any foreign body reaction. An average of 2.1 mm (range, 0.6 to 5 mm) at femoral side and 2.3 (range 0.7 to 7.6 mm) at tibial side enlargement was detected. In axial plain, the tunnel was shaped like an “8” in 3 cases at femoral and in 4 at tibial level. These findings were not statistically correlated to knee stability. In conclusion, the PDLLA interference screws represent a valid alternative to metal implants in ACL reconstructive surgery.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
