Biceps femoris tenodesis revisited A prospective cohort study of concurrent anterior cruciate and postero-lateral corner reconstruction

Abstract

PurposeWhen tendon allograft is not an option, knee posterolateral corner reconstruction by biceps femoris tenodesis gains increasing interest. This study investigated such question; “Does biceps femoris tenodesis result in clinical and functional outcomes comparable to Larsen fibular-based sling in concurrent posterolateral corner and anterior cruciate reconstruction? Patients & MethodsFrom October 2014 till December 2018, 19 patients of concurrent anterior cruciate and posterolateral corner injury were prospectively categorized according to posterolateral reconstruction technique into group-(A) of 10 patients managed by Larsen sling and group-(B) of 9 patients managed by biceps femoris tenodesis. Patients were evaluated for preoperative and 2-year postoperative knee range of motion, varus stress and prone dial tests, Lysholm and IKDC scores, return to work, and instability recurrence. ResultsStatistical analysis revealed matched demographics between groups. At mean of 29months postoperatively, average knee flexion was 146°; while extension loss didn't exceed 1° in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups in Lysholm and IKDC scores; (P-value= 0.710 and 0.210 respectively). ConclusionDespite it is non-anatomic technique, biceps femoris tenodesis can achieve clinical and functional outcomes comparable to Larsen fibular-based sling in concurrent posterolateral corner and anterior cruciate reconstruction; while offering advantages of simplicity and quickness and overcoming tendon graft unavailability.