Broken poly-L-lactic acid interference screw after ligament reconstruction

The interference screw is a reliable method used to secure tendon to bone and bone to bone in ligament reconstruction. Historically, metal interference screws have been used for this purpose in both anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. However, several problems associated with the use of metal interference screws have led to the increasing use of bioabsorbable implants. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biodegradable interference screws have been used successfully for graft fixation in ligament reconstruction. Although adverse reactions have been reported with the use of biodegradable implants, late screw breakage is rare. To our knowledge no case exists of late screw breakage with bioabsorbable interference screws used in ligament reconstruction. We present one case in the setting of an ACL reconstruction and one with combined PCL and posterolateral corner reconstruction.