Tibial plateau fracture after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Role of the interference screw resorption in the stress riser effect.
We report a case of tibial plateau fracture after previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft and bioabsorbable screws 4 years previously. The fracture occurred through the tibial tunnel. The interference screw had undergone complete resorption and the tunnel widening had increased. The resorption of the interference screw did not simultaneously promote and foster the growth of surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, the area of reactive tissue left by the screw resorption in an enlarged bone tunnel may lead to vulnerability of the tibial plateau. Stress risers would occur following ACL reconstruction if either resorption is not complete or bony integration is not complete.
Orthopaedic Surgery Department, André Mignot Hospital, 177, rue de Versailles, 78157 Le Chesnay, France. mathieuthaunat@yahoo.fr
Mathieu
M
Thaunat
Geoffroy
G
Nourissat
Pascal
P
Gaudin
Philippe
P
Beaufils
D020341:Absorbable Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology