Recent progress and perspective in material and manufacturing of interference screw

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries. Surgery is often needed when an ACL injury occurs to restore function to the knee. One of the most popular techniques for ACL grafts currently is the use of interference screws. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art interference screw material, manufacturing process, benefits, and limitations used in ACL reconstruction. The systematic literature review (SLR) methodology comprises this study’s planning, conducting, and reporting stages. Bioresorbable interference screws are fixation devices offering significant advantages in ACL reconstruction over traditional metal interference screws. Additive manufacturing (AM) can provide benefits in producing interference screws compared to traditional/subtractive methods. Developing the interference screw that uses bio composite-based polymers is challenging in AM technology manufacturing. Further research of biocomposite materials and AM printing techniques are some of the most critical areas that can help advance interference screw applications in tissue engineering to encourage the development of functional manufacturing of interference screws. The development of biocomposite material, the novel 3D printer, and the design of interference screws are expected to open up a new era in the reconstruction of ACL.

Keywords

• Anterior cruciate ligament
• interference screws
• bioresorbable
• additive manufacturing
• biocomposite
• Jin Zhongmin, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China