Comparision of Results after ACL Reconstruction between Bioabsorbable Interference Screw and Metallic Interference Screw Fixation

Lim, Hong Chul; Sim, Jae Hak; Choi, Byung Seop

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analysis clinical results after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction between bioabsorbable interference screw fixation and metallic interference screw fixation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We evaluated the results of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft between two groups, of which group 1 is used metallic interference screw, group 2 is used bioabsorbable interference screw. All of 53 patients underwent arthroscopic patellar tendon auto-grafts with one incision technique. A minimum 12 months follow-up is available on 31 patients in group 1 and 22 patients in group 2. The average age was 28.4 years(19 to 47 years) in group 1 and 29.7 years(18 to 55 years) in group 2. The average period, from trauma to operation, was 20.7 months in group 1 and 24.6 months in group 2. The average follow-up period was 24.1 months in group 1 and 13.1 months in group 2. In terms of the results of pivot shift test, Lachman test, anterior drawer test, Lysholm score, Arthrometer(KT-2000), Cybex test, simlpe X-ray and MRI findings of group 1 compared with group 2.
RESULTS
At the final follow-up, KT-2000 test showed that average maximum manual side-to-side dif-ference(STSD) was 2.7mm for group 1 and 2.7mm for group 2. Average muscle power of injured quadri-ceps muscle compared with normal leg by Cybex test was average 82% for group 1 and 79% for group 2. Lysholm score was average 90 for group 1 and 89 for group 2. 3 cases of group 1 and 2 cases of group 2 were showed instability in physical examination, but there were no evidence of synovitis of knee joint or rerupture of anterior cruciate ligament in the follow-up MRI.
CONCLUSIONS
No statistical difference was found between the bioabsorbable interference screw fixation group and the metallic interference screw fixation group. Short-term data support that bioabsorbable interference screw is a reasonable alternative to metallic interference screw.