Comparison of Bioabsorbable and Metallic Interference Screws in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the postoperative results between the patient group which used bioabsorbable interference screw and metallic interference screw during ACL reconstruction surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of 105 patients for whom the postoperative follow-up was possible for one year, authors took 80 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL recostruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft between December of 1996 and December of 2000. 60 patients fell into group 1 where the patients received bioabsorbable interference screw for fixation at femur and tibia, and 20 patients were classified as group 2 where the patients received metallic interference screw on both the femur and tibia. KT 2000 arthrometer was performed and Lysholm knee score was taken before and after the operation, and the patients underwent the same examination at 6 weeks. 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation, and the results were compared. RESULT: The average Lysholm knee score of group 1 was 59, and 57 for group 2. During the final follow up examination, the average score improved to 90 for group 1, and group 2. Compared to the healthy side, KT 2000 arthrometer showed the average in group 1 was 6.9 mm and 7.2 mm in group 2 preoperatively, at the final follow up visit after the operation, the value improved to 3.0 mm for both group 1 and 2. Unlike group 2, there were statistically significant relaxation symptoms in group 1 when the exams were performed up until 6 weeks after the operation(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The usage of bioabsorbable interference screw has many advantages. However, unlike metallic interference screw, it shows laxity within 3 months after the operation. Therefore, when using bioabsorbable interference screw, one has to consider the patients'activity, occupation, or life-style.