Pitfalls associated with fixation of osteochondritis dissecans fragments using bioabsorbable screws

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 2 cases in which bioabsorbable sc rew fixation for an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the femoral condyle resulted in complications necessitating the need for secondary surgery. We reviewed the case history of these patients and described the circumstance s under which the bioabsorbable screws were used, the events leading to the need for secondary surgery, and the ultimate outcome. In the 2 cases prese nted, these implants were found to retain their mechanical stiffness for ma ny months. This resulted in articular damage in 1 case after the treated le sion failed to heal. In the second case, screw breakage 8 months after impl antation resulted in it becoming a loose body, which required removal durin g a second arthroscopic procedure. We conclude that these implants retain t heir mechanical properties for many months and cannot be relied on to degra de quickly. If a treated lesion fails to heal, these implants can cause mec hanical problems due to their retained structural properties.