Baseline post op XRs….just to show this was more than 2 yrs ago
There is a metallic interference screw in the femoral tunnel
The ACL graft is intact and there is no meniscal tear or cartilage loss on today’s MRI (not shown)
The only finding is marrow edema surrounding the tibial tunnel and within the bioabsorbable fixation in the tunnel
The edema is much more pronounced on PDFS than T1
I don’t see osteolysis / tunnel widening and there is no soft tissue component superficial to the tunnel
I know that bioabsorbable fixation devices don’t appear to resorb and remodel, in many instances for years and years
There are many bioabsorbable fixation materials
Although we can see marrow edema related to the absorption of the fixation device….I wonder if this is too long after the surgery for that.
It is now at least 27 months post op and the symptoms started 2 months ago.
I read somewhere that there is up to a 5% incidence of post op complications related to the tibial fixation, and though infection is considered, that is a rare complication.
How would you report this?
