Anatomic Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament after Multiligament Knee Injuries

Abstract

Background: Neither operative nor nonoperative treatment of posterior cruciate ligament rupture after multiligament knee injuries have shown very favorable outcomes.

Hypothesis: Reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament by combining the tibial-inlay and two-femoral-tunnel techniques will result in improved stability and functional outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with 30 posterior cruciate ligament ruptures and multiligament knee injuries treated with the combined technique were evaluated with clinical, radiographic, and functional outcome measures.

Results: All patients had a clinical examination result indicating joint stability (0 or 1+) at an average follow-up of 25 months (range, 15 to 39). Twenty-three knees had no laxity, and seven had 1+ laxity. The KT-2000 arthrometer data documented less than 0.5 mm of side-to-side mean difference for both posterior displacement and total anterior-posterior displacement at both 30° and 70° of knee flexion. Knee range of motion was a mean extension of 1° (range, 0° to 10°) and a mean flexion of 124° (range, 75° to 145°). Mean Lysholm knee score was 89.4.

Conclusions: Reconstruction with a combination tibial-inlay and two-femoral-tunnel technique provides good results after multiligament knee injuries. All patients had a stable posterior cruciate ligament at most recent clinical follow-up, and 77% had no laxity at all.