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Severe cartilage damage by broken poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) interference screw after ACL reconstruction
Burkhard Lembeck1, Nikolaus Wülker
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Hoppe Seyler Strasse 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. burkhard.lembeck@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Abstract:
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) bioabsorbable interference screws are widely used for fixation of tendon to bone and bone to bone in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstructions. Complications are rare. To our knowledge this is the first report of severe chondral damage caused by late breakage of the screw. Breakage of bioscrews has only been published in cases with tendon to bone fixation.