title: Examination of a biodegradable magnesium screw for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: A pilot in vivo study in rabbits.
abstract: The reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is, for the most part, currently performed with interference screws made of titanium or degradable polymers. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of biodegradable magnesium interference screws for such a procedure because of their known biocompatibility and reported osteoconductive effects. The left tibiae of each of 18 rabbits were implanted with a magnesium-based (MgYREZr-alloy) screw, and another 18 with a titanium-based control. Each group was divided into observation periods of 4, 12 and 24weeks. After sacrifice, μCT scans were acquired to assess the amount of the gas liberated and the degradation rate of the implant. Histological evaluations were performed to investigate the local tissue response adjacent to the implant and to assess the status of the attachment between the tendon and the bone tissue. The μCT scans showed that liberation of gas was most prominent 4weeks after implantation and was significantly decreased by 24weeks. All screws remained in situ and formed a sufficient connection with the tendon and sufficient osseous integration at 24weeks. Histological evaluations showed neither inflammatory reactions nor necrosis of the tendon. The results of this pilot study in rabbits indicate that this magnesium-based interference screw should be considered as an alternative to conventional implant materials.
authors.affiliation: CrossBIT, Center for Biocompatibility and Implant-Immunology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diekmann
authors.affiliation: CrossBIT, Center for Biocompatibility and Implant-Immunology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: CrossBIT, Center for Biocompatibility and Implant-Immunology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: weizbauer.andreas@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizbauer
authors.affiliation: CrossBIT, Center for Biocompatibility and Implant-Immunology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Laboratory for Biomechanics and Biomaterials, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Anna-von-Borries-Straße 1-7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Willbold
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Anna-von-Borries-Straße 1-7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Windhagen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools (IFW), Leibniz Universität Hannover, An der Universität 2, 30823 Garbsen, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Helmecke
authors.affiliation: Syntellix AG, Schiffgraben 11, 30159 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: CrossBIT, Center for Biocompatibility and Implant-Immunology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Janin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reifenrath
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Anna-von-Borries-Straße 1-7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ezechieli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008274:Magnesium
keywords: Biocompatibility; Biodegradable; Interference screw; Magnesium alloy; Rabbit; Tendon