title: Interface and biocompatibility of polyethylene terephthalate knee ligament prostheses. A histological and ultrastructural device retrieval analysis in failed synthetic implants used for surgical repair of anterior cruciate ligaments.
abstract: In a prospective clinical study of 54 patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament instability, 56 artificial ligaments made of polyethylene terephthalate (Trevira hochfest) were implanted to restore knee stability. The average follow-up of these artificial knee ligaments was 40.2 (12-79) months; five implants (10%) had to be explanted due to failure after an average of 17.8 (6-50) months. All explants were examined by histological and ultrastructural methods in a device retrieval analysis. With regard to short- and medium-term artificial ligament failure in the human knee joint, a non-isometric surgical implantation technique, inappropriate strain during rehabilitation and implant fatigue and wear were responsible for ligament failures.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gesamthochschule Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kock
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stürmer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Letsch
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Schmit-Neuerburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012421:Rupture; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates