[Iliotibial band friction syndrome due to bioabsorbable pins in ACL reconstruction]

Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament are currently treated primarily with the use of hamstring graft with a wide range of different techniques and fixation systems for anterior cruciate ligament in reducing patient morbidity. We report the case of a female patient aged 42 that suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and was treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft with femoral fixation with bio-absorbable cross-pin and tibial fixation with bio-absorbable screw. The patient presented lateral knee pain that was diagnosed one year after the operation as an iliotibial band friction syndrome. Imaging studies were performed. X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated adequate fixation of the anterior cruciate ligament with the presence of migration and rupture of the proximal bio-absorbable cross-pin. It was decided to remove the bio-absorbable cross-pin fragment in a second surgical procedure after which the patient went back to her daily activities and sports without pain and with stability stable knee.