Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal (Jul 2012)
Broken Bioabsorbable Tibial Interference Screw after Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction using a Semitendinosus-gracilis Graft: A Case Report
Abstract
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 mid- patella. Both menisci and cruciate ligaments were intact and no other loose bodies were found in the knee joint.
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