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Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants

ISSN for PRINT: 1050-6934

Institutional price:	$1021.00
Issues per year:	6

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2003, Volume13

104 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.v13.i4

Issue price - $175.00

Bioabsorbable Screw Fixation in Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction

Timothy W. Talbert, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA

John R. Green, III, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

Debi P. Mukherjee, Sc.D., M.R.A.
Associate Professor & Coordinator of Bioengineering. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery LSU Medical Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport LA 71130-3932

Alan L. Ogden, BS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130

R. H. Mayeux, BS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Medical Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biomechanical properties of stainless steel and bioabsorbable screw fixation of the clavicle to the base of the coracoid. Seven matched pairs of fresh frozen shoulders were prepared by removing all soft tissue except the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligament complexes. The shoulders were randomly selected and fixed with 4.5-mm stainless steel (SS) screws, while contralateral shoulders were fixed with 4.5-mm poly L-lactic acid polymer (PLLA) screws. Pullout strength, stiffness, and elongation to failure were measured using an Instron Mechanical Tester (Model 4202). The average pullout strength of 720.6 ± 244.9 N of the metal screws was not statistically different (p = 0.089) from that of the biodegradable screws of 580.4 ± 188.6 N. The pullout strengths exerted by both these screws exceeded the reported strength (500 N) of the intact coracoclavicular complex indicating adequate initial pullout strength for coracoclavicular fixation.