Biocomposite Interference Screw for Internal Fixation from 3D Printed Material: A Review

Fariz Wisda Nugraha, Rifky Ismail, Athanasius Priharyanto Bayuseno

Abstract: The interference screw fixation technique has gained immense popularity as a method for reconstructing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Initially, metal materials were used for the interference screws, but this caused difficulty in enduring the screws during the healing process. Consequently, bioabsorbable interference screws were developed to overcome this problem, which were made from biocomposite materials that included bioceramics to accelerate bone healing. While biopolymers lacked bioactive properties, the addition of bioceramics addressed this issue. The use of 3D printing as an alternative method for producing interference screws is worth considering, but further research is needed to ensure that the products have mechanical properties that are balanced with the injection molding method.

Keywords: Interference screw, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, 3D printing, Biopolymers, Bioceramics, Biocomposite, Bone, Materials