Extra-articular extraosseous migration of a bioabsorbable femoral interference screw after ACL reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is quite commonly used to treat anterior knee instability. Surgeon preference and patient functional goals determine graft selection and graft fixation techniques. Interference screws are considered a safe and effective device for graft fixation in surgical ACL reconstruction. Poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) bioabsorbable interference screws are becoming increasingly popular in ACL reconstruction surgery. There are several reasons why they may be more advantageous than metallic screws, including reduced graft laceration during insertion, ease of performance of revision procedures, avoidance of graft injury encountered with aperture fixation using metallic screws, and fewer artifacts on magnetic resonance images (MRI). Few studies describe complications associated with PLLA bioabsorbable screws, particularly extra-articular screw migration. This article presents a case of an extra-articular extraosseous migration of the femoral bioabsorbable interference screw. This case further demonstrates the problem of the femoral bioabsorbable interference screw.