A prospective randomized study of ACL-reconstructions using bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts fixed with bioabsorbable or metal interference screws

This report has been verified by one or more authors of the original publication.

41 patients were randomized to compare the clinical outcome of two different procedures following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Patients received bone-patellar tendon-bone fixed with either bioabsorbable poly-l-lactic acid screws or metal interference screws and were assessed 7 years postoperatively. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between the screws in any of the outcome measures, with the exception of Pivot-shift results (which favoured bioabsorbable screws). Moreover, while the bioabsorbable screws had degraded after 7 years, the screws were not replaced by bone.