Tripled semitendinosus-cancellous bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bioscrew fixation

A prospective evaluation of a tripled semitendinosus-autologous cancellous bone plug ACL reconstruction, secured with bioabsorbable interference screws (Bioscrew; Linvatec, Largo, FL) made of polyL-lactic acid, was undertaken from July 1994 through August 1995. A total of 21 patients with 22 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions were followed-up an average 29 months (range, 20 to 45). The average age was 38 years (range, 24 to 48 years). Tegner and Lysholm scores were 2.1 and 46, respectively, preoperatively and increased postoperatively to 4.4 and 90. KT tests at 24 months follow-up showed an average 20-lb laxity of 1.4 mm, an average 30-lb laxity of 2.1 mm, and an average KT maximum manual side-to-side difference of 2.9 mm. A pivot shift was absent in all but two patients at final follow-up. Full extension was rapidly achieved in all cases and flexion averaged 135 degrees at follow-up. No problems with the poly L-lactic acid interference screws occurred. These data support the effectiveness of Bioscrew fixation of the tripled semitendinosus-cancellous bone graft ACL reconstruction, which achieves both anatomic graft position and anatomic graft fixation.