J Bone Joint Surg Br
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J Bone Joint Surg Br · Jul 1991
Osteolytic changes accompanying degradation of absorbable fracture fixation implants.
We analysed the radiographs of 67 patients with displaced malleolar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using absorbable polyglycolide rods. Seventeen patients developed a discharging inflammatory foreign-body reaction, a complication unique to these fixation devices. ⋯ In patients with a foreign-body reaction the osteolytic foci tended to occur in the deepest parts of the implant channels. However, after one year the normal structure of the bone was restored.