Combined reconstruction of the injured posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral complex of the knee

Abstract

Objective To discuss the necessity and methods of combined reconstruction of the injured posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)and posterolateral complex(PLC)of the knee. Methods From January 2001 to December 2006,28 patients with injury of both PCL(≥Ⅱ°b)and PLC(＞Ⅱ°)of the knee were treated operatively in our department.Eight patients received arthroscopic PCL reconstruction with single bundle of 5-6 strands of hamstring and conservative treatment of PLC during January 2001 to December 2003.Twenty Datients received arthroscopic PCL reconstruction followed by open operative repair of PLC with median 1/3 femoral biceps tendon and gracilis during January 2002 to December 2006. Results All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months postoperatively (mean,15 months).By Lysholm scoring,3 cases obtained good results and 5 poor in the first group,while 19 excellent and 1 good in the second group.The mean Lysholm scores were 47.1±8.2 and 86.7±7.2 respectively(P＜0.05).According to IKDC scale,3 patients(37.5%)in the first group and 19 patients (95.0%)in the second group were graded normal or nearlv normal(t=19.277,P＜0.05). Conclusion Arthroseopic PCL reconstruction with single bundle of 5-6 strands of hamstring plus PLC reconstruction with 1/3 femoral biceps tendon and gracilis is more reliable to restore the stability of the knee than PCL reconstruction only. Key words: Knee; Posterior cruciate ligament; Injury; Reconstruction