[Soft tissue tendon graft fixation in the tibial tunnel with a bioabsorbable screw-EndoPearl combination in tibiae of low bone mineral density: a biomechanical study].
OBJECTIVE
This biomechanical study evaluated soft tissue tendon graft fixation in the tibial tunnel using a bioabsorbable interference screw with or without supplemental EndoPearl device.


METHODS
Ten bovine tibiae were stripped of all soft tissues and bone tunnels 7 mm in diameter were drilled with dilation to 9 mm. Tibialis anterior allografts were fixed with a screw (10 mm in diameter, 30 mm in length) in five tibiae of high bone mineral density (1.36 g/cm2), and with a screw-EndoPearl combination in five tibiae of low bone mineral density (0.84 g/cm2). The specimens were cycled 10 times from 10 to 50 N, and 500 times from 50 to 200 N in a servo hydraulic test device prior to ultimate load-at-failure testing at a rate of 20 mm/min.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were found between the two fixation groups with respect to displacement and stiffness during cyclic testing, and with respect to load at failure, displacement, and stiffness during load-to-failure testing (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of similar results in both fixation groups with respect to displacement and stiffness during cyclic testing and during load-to-failure testing suggests that a screw-EndoPearl combination in tibiae of low bone mineral density may be helpful in the prevention of graft slippage.
Kocabey
Yavuz
Y
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Sports Medicine, University of Louisville. Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Nawab
Akbar
A
Nyland
John
J
Işikan
U Erdem
UE
Caborn
David
D
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001863:Bone Screws; D002417:Cattle; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*