All-inside technique for isolated posterior cruciate ligament tears: Surgical technique and outcomes

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to describe all-inside posterior cruciate ligament (aiPCL) reconstruction surgical technique and to report complications and outcomes in female patients with isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears.

Methods

Preoperative and postoperative evaluations included posterior drawer test, dial test at 30^o and 90^o of knee flexion, Tegner score, and Lysholm score. The mean follow-up was 33.12 months (range 12–74).

Results

Twenty-five female patients with grade II or grade III isolated lesions of the PCL underwent aiPCL reconstruction. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 29.7 ± 12.9 years, while the mean time from injury to surgery was 11 months (range 12–324). No intraoperative/postoperative complications occurred. At the last follow-up, 16 (69.5 %) and 5 (21.5 %) patients had a grade A and B posterior drawer test, respectively, while the dial test (30^o and 90^o of knee flexion) was negative in all patients. The mean preoperative Lysholm score was 64.08 ± 13.06 points (range 37–85 points), while the mean postoperative Lysholm score was 88.12 ± 13.33 points (range 50–100 points) (p<0.0001). No statistically significant differences were found comparing preoperative and postoperative Tegner score results.

Conclusions

The arthroscopic aiPCL reconstruction seems safe and effective.