A fixation device is a manufactured device, often bio-degradeable, which is used to fix tissues in place until healing occurs.
Bio-absorbable interference screws are used to hold soft tissues within bone tunnels.
The titanium metallic endobutton is combined with a polyurethane ribbon.
Uses of fixation devices
Fixation devices may be employed in ligament or tendon grafts or to hold together torn tissues, such as the meniscus.
Bioabsorbable fixation device
A common material for bio-absorbable interference screws is poly L-lactic acid (PLLA).
Non-bioabsorbable fixation device
Metal fixation devices are commonly made of titanium.
CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Bioabsorbable versus metallic interference screws for graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Debieux P, Franciozi CE, Lenza M, Tamaoki MJ, Magnussen RA, Faloppa F, Belloti JC. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jul 24;7:CD009772. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009772.pub2.
SLIDESHARE
ACL graft fixation options. Excellent Slideshare presentation by Associate Professor Dr Rajesh Purushothaman.