Progressive osteolysis of the radius after distal biceps tendon repair with the bioabsorbable screw.

BACKGROUND: Several complications have been reported with the use of the PLLA (poly-L-Lactide) bioabsorbable screw in orthopedic surgery. The hypothesis was that the use of a bioabsorbable screw in distal biceps tenodesis results in significant osteolysis of the radial bone. The correlation between osteolysis and functional and clinical outcomes was also studied.

METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent anatomic repair of the distal biceps tendon with a bioabsorbable screw were included. From the x-ray taken immediately after the surgery, the ratio between the volume of the bone tunnel and the volume of the radius bone section was measured. This relation was calculated at different follow-up periods to obtain the percentage of tunnel enlargement over time. Complications, as well as functional and clinical outcomes, were also assessed. Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), the quick-Disability Arm Shoulder Hand (DASH), and the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) were used.

RESULTS: Nineteen consecutive patients were available for follow-up. The average initial relative volume occupied by the screw tunnel was 49% of the bone section and increased to 61% at the last follow-up at an average of 22 months (range, 3-62 months). Eight of the 19 patients presented postoperative complications. There was only 1 case of complete bone filling of the tunnel, which was observed at a 5-year and 2-months follow-up. There was no significant correlation between the volume of bone resorption and functional and clinical outcomes.

DISCUSSION: No correlation was found between the volume of bone tunnel and the functional outcome. However, the results indicate that the use of a bioabsorbable screw in distal biceps tendon repair results in significant bone osteolysis.