Hardware Complications after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Introduction

A variety of autograft and allograft tissues can be used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and a number of different tools and techniques can be used to achieve graft fixation, whether bone to bone or tendon to bone. Commonly used fixation devices include interference screws (metallic and bioabsorbable), suspensory fixation (the Endobutton [Acufex Microsurgical, Mansfield, Massachusetts], RetroButton [Arthrex, Naples, Florida], ACL TightRope [Arthrex, Naples, Florida]), and cross-pins. Complications related to graft fixation are often specific to the type of fixation used, although a number of themes recur. We will review each type of fixation and the related intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as methods for managing both types of complication. Obviously the ideal management is avoidance of the complication in the first place. Skeletally immature patients are susceptible to a unique set of complications regardless of the method of fixation, and we will review these separately.

Interference Screws

Interference screws are a widely used method of fixation during ACL reconstruction, both for bone-to-bone fixation and soft tissue–to–bone fixation. A number of complications related to interference screws may be encountered, and they can occur intraoperatively or postoperatively.

Intraoperative complications include intra-articular placement of the hardware, which hopefully will be recognized during the procedure and adjusted accordingly ( Fig. 133.1 ). During insertion of the screw, possible complications include laceration of the graft passing suture, advancement of the graft within the bone tunnel, graft laceration and even rupture, fracture of the graft bone plug, and screw breakage. To minimize the risk of lacerating the passing suture, at least one suture can be passed through the tendon at the base of the bone plug. To minimize the risk of graft rupture, methylene blue can be used to mark the bone-tendon junction of the graft, the anterior portion of the bone tunnel can be notched to ease the initial engagement of the screw, the cancellous edge of the bone plug can be placed facing anterior flush with the intra-articular edge of the femoral tunnel, and a protective sheath or cannula can be used to protect the graft during screw placement. Another helpful technique to protect the graft is to insert the femoral screw over a guidewire drilled through a cannulated screwdriver.

If the graft ruptures during screw placement, a number of salvage options may be used. If a patellar tendon graft is cut at the bone-tendon junction, the graft can be reversed, placing the intact bone plug in the femoral tunnel and fixing the tendinous portion of the graft through the tibial tunnel with a post or button. If there is insufficient graft length remaining, alternative autograft or allograft should be used. To minimize the chance of graft advancement, it is important to maintain constant tension on the passing sutures during screw insertion. Screw breakage during insertion has been reported with bioabsorbable screws in up to 10% of cases. Steps to minimize such a complication include use of a dilator device to create a pilot hole for screw insertion, using a tap prior to screw insertion, maintaining continuous pressure on the screwdriver to keep it fully seated, and use of a screw 1 mm smaller than the diameter of the tunnel.

Postoperative complications include intra-articular placement of hardware, which may not be recognized at the time of surgery and can present clinically after the index procedure. A second procedure may be necessary to reposition or remove the misplaced hardware. Late screw breakage and delayed intra-articular migration of interference screws have also been described in the literature. Late migration of interference screws is rare but should be considered in the case of sudden pain in the late postoperative period after ACL reconstruction, and in the case of a metallic screw can easily be evaluated with plain films. If such a complication is encountered, removal is mandated to minimize mechanical problems and cartilage damage. An arthroscopic approach is preferred, even if the screw is in the notch or popliteal fossa, although an arthrotomy may be required.