[Bioabsorbable interference screw for ligament reconstructions in the knee].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical results of bioabsorbable interference screw in knee ligament reconstruction.

METHODS

From April 2002 to August 2004, 39 patients with knee ligament injury were treated, including 33 males and 6 females with a median age of 25 years (15 to 65 years). The involved ligament included 29 anterior cruciate ligament of knee (ACL), 6 posterior cruciate ligament of knee (PCL), 4 combined ACL and PCL, 3 medial collateral or lateral collateral ligaments of knee point and 1 posterolateral complex injury of knee. All of patients underwent anatomic ligament reconstructions under arthroscopy or open surgery by autografts and fixation with bioabsorbable interference screw.

RESULTS

All 34 patients were followed up 6 to 28 months (mean 13.7 months). The patients were evaluated by Lysholm knee functional scales, the knee scores were 43.6 +/- 13.4 before operation and 85.4 +/- 16.3 after operation, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). There was no limitation of range of motion and loosening of the screw. However, one case suffered from infection, and 3 cases suffered from effusion and synovitis after surgery and recovered after management.

CONCLUSION

Bioabsorbable interference screw fixation is a reliable method in knee ligament reconstruction and is effective to restore knee joint stability.