MIAMI, Updated 5:47 p.m. EST December 27, 2000 -- Just like machines, the human body can break down. When it comes to making repairs for knee injuries, modern technology now offers some hardware with a very human touch.

Pam Snyder has a hard time standing still. When she tore the cartilage in her knee a few years ago she refused surgery so she could keep up her active lifestyle. But finally, her knee couldn't take it any more.

"Back in July, I was doing karate and I actually tore more cartilage. I couldn't straighten my leg," Snyder said.

Orthopedic surgeon Kevin Kessler told Snyder that this time surgery was not an option, but she did have one choice.

She could have the torn cartilage repaired with a metal screw, which has been used for years, or with a new bone screw, which is actually harvested from human cadavers.

"Through the gift of life like those who give their organs, their heart their kidneys or their liver to other living people, we're able to harvest a small piece of bone from the lower part of their leg called the tibia and fashion it into a screw that has the same function and appearance to be used in somebody else," Kessler said.

Kessler says that with a bone screw, there is less chance of infection or rejection.

As the injury heals, the bone screw actually becomes a seamless part of the body.

There's also another benefit.

"If you have another injury later in life and you need another diagnostic test such as an MRI, it's hard to read or even impossible to do the MRI because the metal interferes with doing the exam," Kessler said.

Using bone screws could also improve the healing process. Four months after surgery, Snyder's moving full speed forward back to her active life.

"I've lived with an incomplete knee for 11 years. So once I get through the rehab portion, I'm going to be stronger than I was in my 20s. I feel great about that," Snyder said.