ABSTRACT
Objective To introduce the method of two bundle anatomical reconstruction of the posterolateral corner(PLC) of the knee using auto-harmstring,and to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes.Methods Using auto-harmstring,23 knees of 21 cases with acute or chronic posterolateral complex injuries were anatomically reconstructed from March 2003 to November 2005.There were 20 male and 1 female patients(mean age:32.3 years,ranging from 17 to 47 years)in this study with follow-up of at least 12 months(average:26.7 months,ranging from 12 to 31 months.Tow cases had isolated PLC injuries,21 knees had multiligamentous injuries,and 5 cases associated with meniscus injuries.The technique used includes:(1)an autogenous semitendinosus placed through trastibial bone tunnel from posterior to anterior and then turned to transfibulur bone tunnel to reconstruct the popliteus and popliteofibular ligament;(2)an autogenous gracilis tendon placed through transfibulur bone tunnel to reconstruct the fibulocolateral ligament(FCL).The transplanted grafts were secured to the femoral insertion of the popliteus and FCL respectively with metal or bioabsorbable interference screw.All patients were followed-up prospectively with clinical examinations and Lysholm knee scores.Results There was no varus knee instability in full extension,and one-grade varus instability with firm endpoint was found in 2 cases at 30? flexion.There was no increased external rotation in all of the 23 knees at 30? flexions(in prone position).Mean Lysholm knee scores were 89.2(range from 88 to 100).Conclusions Two bundle anatomical reconstruction of the PLC of the knee using auto-harmstring yields a stable knee with excellent function,mini-trauma,and reliable fixation of grafts,this technique is an ideal method for the treatment of PLC injuries.
ABSTRACT
Objective To describe an alternative procedure of arthroscopic double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)reconstruction using deep-frozen fresh allogenic achilles tendon and evaluate the follow-up outcome in early stage. Methods The ruptured PCL was reconstructed under arthroscopy using deep frozen fresh allogenic achilles tendon preparing in Y-shaped allografts, one bundle was used for anterolateral bundle, the other for posteromedial bundle. Absorbable screw was used to fix the soft tendon graft and metal screw was used to fix the bone graft. Results From March 2003 to August 2004, the procedure of arthroscopic double-bundle PCL reconstruction using allogenic achilles tendon was applied in 10 cases. The average follow-up period was 13.2 months(6～24 months, among them 6 cases were more than 12 months ). 2 cases with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury were also reconstructed with hamstring tendons (semitendinosus and gracilis). 3 cases with rupture of postolateral horn of knee joint were anatomically reconstructed with hamstring tendons. Clinical results were carefully compared using the Lysholm score system before and after the operation, the average score was 50.3 preoperatively, and 91.2 postoperatively. The objective examination showed that the tibia post-migrating sign, posterior drawer test and Lachman test were positive in all the 10 cases preoperatively; whereas the posterior drawer test and Lachman test were negative postoperatively; the tibia post-migrating sign were weak positive in 3 cases with longer clinical histories(more than 1 year); the flexion range of the knee were slightly restricted (5?～20?) in the 2 cases with simultaneous ACL injury. Conclusions Allogenic achilles tendon is an ideal material for arthroscopic double-bundle PCL reconstruction. Arthroscopic double-bundle reconstructed PCL is in accordance with the anatomy and physiology of natural PCL. The injury and complications caused by the autograft can be alleviated. The allograft can be prepared in advance and the soft end of the implant can pass through the bone tunnel easily, and thus the operaton time under arthroscopy can be saved and the trauma caused by arthroscopy is abated. Arthroscopic double-bundle PCL reconstruction is sample, safe and effective.