Pitfalls associated with fixation of osteochondritis dissecans fragments using bioabsorbable screws

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 cases in which bioabsorbable screw fixation for an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the femoral condyle resulted in complications necessitating the need for secondary surgery. We reviewed the case history of these patients and described the circumstances under which the bioabsorbable screws were used, the events leading to the need for secondary surgery, and the ultimate outcome. In the 2 cases presented, these implants were found to retain their mechanical stiffness for many months. This resulted in articular damage in 1 case after the treated lesion failed to heal. In the second case, screw breakage 8 months after implantation resulted in it becoming a loose body, which required removal during a second arthroscopic procedure. We conclude that these implants retain their mechanical properties for many months and cannot be relied on to degrade quickly. If a treated lesion fails to heal, these implants can cause mechanical problems due to their retained structural properties.