Any here have or know of someone who had a problem with the bioabsorbable interference screws not re-absorbing, or taking a longer than normal time to reabsorb? And, if so, were there any associated symptoms with it? I'm nearing two years post op and having some issues with my post-op ACL knee and recently had an MRI. The screw in my tibia has resolved, but the one in my femur is still there and shows what appears to be inflammation/fluid around a large area of the bone and the screw. The screws were used to hold my ACL graft in place. Ortho told me the inflammation could indicate an allergy to the screw. The fact that it's still there almost 2 years later, seemed to concern him. The MRI also showed effusion (fluid/inflammation) in other areas within my knee, but no other issues going on, everything in tact. Not sure why one of my screws re-absorbed and the other hasn't, doesn't seem to make sense either. But, I guess could happen??... any one ever heard of this before??
Bioabsorbable Interference Screws
- Thread starter mxdirtdiva
- Start date
Wow, I'd be a bit concerned too although, I'm no Dr. Otherwise, are things progressing well Diva? By the way, good to see you drop in 
Thanks N'Ledge! Things have been going well, have had a good year of riding and a little set back last summer with an injury to my hand, but other than that, have had some good seat time in between. Overall, my knee has been slow to recover, seems to get a little angry after I ride. Which, maybe I've been too ignorant about, and passed off as being newly post-op?? The little riding I did over NY's got it really aggriavted, enough to prompt an MRI and the lastest discovery. Hoping not the case, doesn't sound like an easy fix.
Good question, questioning that myself. 
I had significant injury in there, both old and new, involving multiple ligaments, both meniscus, issues with patella tracking, and a fracture. I also have MS, and this leg is the area most effected by my disease. So yes, my recovery was slower than most people's in so far as getting the muscles (especially, my quad) to fire back up again. I also had a lateral release performed, where they actually cut the quad/VMO, this alone slowed down my recovery time
In relation to my injuries/surgey or my MS delaying the rate of absorption with one screw and not the other, this I'm not so sure about. My first guess would be no. The reason I say, I know I'm not the only person out there who's ever had a lot of work done to their knee using these type of screws. From what I've read and have been told, these screws for the most part have been shown to be successful and well-tolerated, and are typically gone or show evidence of being partially re-absorbed way before 12 month mark. I find it really odd to have one screw gone and not the other, but could be how my body has decided to respond to this one particular screw, IDK. I also don't know if my MS plays a factor and doubt I'd find any studies on MS vs screw absorption. Even taking all these things into consideration, it all falls back to the same question: why did one screw absorb and not the other??
My MRI also showed deposits other than bone filling back in to the areas around the tunnel close to where this screw was inserted. Why this is happening, I'm not sure either, and my be related to a allegery reaction to the screw?? There appears to be no evidence that my graft (ACL) has slipped/migrated away from where it was placed, so this is some good news. And, the graft appears to be thriving at the moment, I don't appear to have any changes in stability (as of yet).
Another odd thing, now that I got my hands on a copy of my most recent MRI report, there's NOT one mention in transcript of the current inflammation which surrounds the screw site within my femur or the remaining screw still intact, both which show on my films. Seems this would be a finding worth of some mention by the radiologist?? The radiologist's comments basically said no changes since last MRI. I did'nt have inflammation around my screw before.
Lot's of questions coming to my doctor at my next appointment, thinking a 2nd op is a good idea too. Bummed I have to hold off on doing things I enjoy until they figure out what the heck is going on in there. Hoping, I don't have to have surgery again to fix this situation... rather stick needles in my eyes than revisit a knee op again.
I had significant injury in there, both old and new, involving multiple ligaments, both meniscus, issues with patella tracking, and a fracture. I also have MS, and this leg is the area most effected by my disease. So yes, my recovery was slower than most people's in so far as getting the muscles (especially, my quad) to fire back up again. I also had a lateral release performed, where they actually cut the quad/VMO, this alone slowed down my recovery timeIn relation to my injuries/surgey or my MS delaying the rate of absorption with one screw and not the other, this I'm not so sure about. My first guess would be no. The reason I say, I know I'm not the only person out there who's ever had a lot of work done to their knee using these type of screws. From what I've read and have been told, these screws for the most part have been shown to be successful and well-tolerated, and are typically gone or show evidence of being partially re-absorbed way before 12 month mark. I find it really odd to have one screw gone and not the other, but could be how my body has decided to respond to this one particular screw, IDK. I also don't know if my MS plays a factor and doubt I'd find any studies on MS vs screw absorption. Even taking all these things into consideration, it all falls back to the same question: why did one screw absorb and not the other??
My MRI also showed deposits other than bone filling back in to the areas around the tunnel close to where this screw was inserted. Why this is happening, I'm not sure either, and my be related to a allegery reaction to the screw?? There appears to be no evidence that my graft (ACL) has slipped/migrated away from where it was placed, so this is some good news. And, the graft appears to be thriving at the moment, I don't appear to have any changes in stability (as of yet).
Another odd thing, now that I got my hands on a copy of my most recent MRI report, there's NOT one mention in transcript of the current inflammation which surrounds the screw site within my femur or the remaining screw still intact, both which show on my films. Seems this would be a finding worth of some mention by the radiologist?? The radiologist's comments basically said no changes since last MRI. I did'nt have inflammation around my screw before.
Lot's of questions coming to my doctor at my next appointment, thinking a 2nd op is a good idea too. Bummed I have to hold off on doing things I enjoy until they figure out what the heck is going on in there. Hoping, I don't have to have surgery again to fix this situation... rather stick needles in my eyes than revisit a knee op again.
James
Staff member
Hang in there Diva.
If only it were that easy.
When is your next appointment?
Hoping, I don't have to have surgery again to fix this situation... rather stick needles in my eyes than revisit a knee op again.
If only it were that easy.
Thanks Rez! I'm hoping the same.
Keep your head up Denise.
Holy crap! When I read the title to the thread, I thought it was a joke like metric screwdrivers or left handed crescent wrenches!
I've only had stainless steel screws and hardware put in my back, leg, and shoulder. I never knew such things existed!
Well, Diva, I hope it works out for you! I've heard that the judicious use of a shot of Jamison helps to dissolve those livers...phhht! I mean screws!
I've only had stainless steel screws and hardware put in my back, leg, and shoulder. I never knew such things existed!
Well, Diva, I hope it works out for you! I've heard that the judicious use of a shot of Jamison helps to dissolve those livers...phhht! I mean screws!
Keep your head up Denise.
Thanks WG!
Holy crap! When I read the title to the thread, I thought it was a joke like metric screwdrivers or left handed crescent wrenches!
I've only had stainless steel screws and hardware put in my back, leg, and shoulder. I never knew such things existed!
Well, Diva, I hope it works out for you! I've heard that the judicious use of a shot of Jamison helps to dissolve those livers...phhht! I mean screws!
Haha... thanks Buck! Might have to try throwing back a few of those!
You've had some work, hopefully good stories to go along, bet your MRI's are fun to read. And, yes, probably could've gone with a more fitting title like... "What If I Have a Bad Screw?" 
But, thought better not. Thanks WG!
Haha... thanks Buck! Might have to try throwing back a few of those!
You made me laugh! I chuckled!
Nobody chuckles anymore. I chuckled! Chuckling is good! Did you just chuckle?Haha, glad your chuckling Buck. Just think how I feel?!! I've got to figure out how I'm going to look my ortho in the eyes and asked him that awkward question, "How can you tell when a screw has gone bad?," without cracking up.
Just think how I feel?!! I've got to figure out how I'm going to look my ortho in the eyes and asked him that awkward question, "How can you tell when a screw has gone bad?," without cracking up.Thanks WG!
Haha... thanks Buck! Might have to try throwing back a few of those!
Yeah, I think that's entirely seperate thread itching to be started........
