Broken Bioabsorbable Tibial Interference Screw after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction using a Semitendinosus-gracilis Graft: A Case Report

When a patient presents with knee pain and locking after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a new meniscal injury or an osteochondral loose body are usually considered for differential diagnosis. We present the case of a 22-year-old female with just these complaints 6 months after ACL reconstruction surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee showed a broken screw tip which was later arthroscopically removed. At arthroscopy, an 11mm long broken bioabsorbable interference screw tip was found lying in the intercondylar notch; this resulted in a 0.5cm Outerbridge grade II chondral ulcer located at midpatella. Both menisci and cruciate ligaments were intact and no other loose bodies were found in the knee joint. ACL reconstruction, bioabsorbable interference screw, chondral ulcer.