In vitro degradation behavior of dry-jet-wet spun poly(lactic acid) (PLA) monofilament and knitted scaffold were studied at three different pH i.e., at 4.6, 7.4, and 8.0 at 37 degrees C for 20 weeks. Characterization of PLA by intrinsic viscosity, thermal properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out. It is observed that the pH of the medium has significant role on degradation behavior of PLA. The degradation at pH 4.6 is observed to be maximum, which is confirmed by the drop of 52% in intrinsic viscosity. The degradation process has effect on the hydrophobicity of the PLA. The decrease in contact angle from 73 degrees to 48 degrees indicates that the PLA surface tends to become more hydrophilic as the degradation proceeds. The SEM analysis showed that with the degradation, surface deterioration takes place. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.