Weave Technique for Reconstruction of Medial Collateral Ligament and Posterior Oblique Ligament: An Anatomic Approach Using Semitendinosus Tendon

Abstract

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in knee. The majority of MCL tears can be managed conservatively, and reconstruction or augmentation is required in few selected cases. Anatomic MCL and posterior oblique ligament reconstruction have good functional outcome, but it requires 2 tunnels each in the tibia and femur, which may be a limitation in cases in which multiligament reconstruction is required. Several studies report the use of semitendinosus tendon with intact tibial attachment for MCL reconstruction. Since the attachment of semitendinosus is anterior to MCL footprint, it is non-anatomic and anisometric, which may lead to increased laxity of the reconstructed ligament in due course of time. To prevent the laxity in long term, the reconstruction has to be isometric and anatomic. We, hereby, are reporting our unique technique of MCL and posterior oblique ligament reconstruction using intact semitendinosus at tibial attachment and re-routing to the MCL which makes the reconstruction anatomic and isometric. A supplemental video demonstration of the technique is attached with this article.