Craig J. Edson

Posterior cruciate ligament injuries in trauma patients: Part II

The purpose of this article is to present the incidence of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in trauma patients with acute hemarthrosis of the knee. There were 222 acute knee injuries with hemarthrosis presented to our regional trauma center over a 38-month period. PCL injuries occurred in 38% (85 of 222) acute knee injuries; 56.5% (48 of 85) were trauma patients, and 32.9% (28 of 85) were sports related. Higher energy mechanisms may account for the difference. Isolated PCL injuries were rare (3.5%, 3 of 85), whereas 96.5% (82 of 85) of PCL injuries occurred in combination with other ligament injuries. Trauma patients have a higher incidence of PCL injuries than do athletes. Acute knee hemarthrosis in trauma patients should elevate suspicion for multiple knee ligament injuries involving the posterior cruciate ligament.

Arthroscopically assisted combined posterior cruciate ligament/posterior lateral complex reconstruction

This article presents the minimum 2-year results (range, 24 to 54 months) of 21 arthroscopically assisted posterior cruciate ligament/posterior lateral complex (PCL/PLC) reconstructions, evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Tegner, Lysholm, and Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament rating scales, and the KT 1000 knee ligament arthrometer (Medmetric Corp., San Diego, CA, U.S.A.). There were 15 male and 6 female patients; 6 right and 15 left; and 10 acute and 11 chronic knee injuries. All injuries were PCL/PLC knee ligament injuries. PCLs were reconstructed using allograft Achilles tendon, or autograft patellar tendon. Posterior lateral instability was successfully treated with long head of biceps femoris tendon tenodesis. Tegner, Lysholm, and Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament rating scales significantly improved preoperatively to postoperatively (P = .0001). PCL screen and corrected posterior KT 1,000 measurements improved from preoperative to postoperative status (P = .0009, and P = .0096, respectively).

The posterior cruciate ligament arthroscopic evaluation and treatment

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is an anatomically and biomechanically complex structure. PCL injuries are reported to occur in 1-40% of acute knee injuries, with isolated PCL tears less common that PCL tears combined with other ligament injuries. Diagnosis of PCL injuries requires a high index of suspicion, careful physical examination, imaging studies, and systematic arthroscopic evaluation. Surgical reconstruction is recommended for acute PCL tears combined with other ligament or structural injuries, and when there is a negative tibial step off in an isolated PCL tear. Isolated acute PCL tears with a positive tibial step off or flat tibial step off may be treated with rehabilitation and observation and reconstructed later if symptomatic. Arthroscopic techniques of PLC reconstruction are becoming more refined and reproducible and may increase the predictability of this surgery. Carefully documented pre- and postoperative evaluations are required to judge the effectiveness of PCL reconstructive procedures.

Arthroscopically assisted combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

This article presents the minimum 2-year results (range, 24 to 48 months) of 20 arthroscopically assisted combined anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) reconstructions, evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Tegner, Lysholm, and Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament rating scales, and the KT 1000 knee ligament arthrometer (Medmetric Corp, San Diego, CA). There were 16 men or boys, 4 women or girls; 9 right, 11 left; 10 acute, and 10 chronic knee injuries. Ligament injuries included 1 ACL/PCL tear, 2 ACL/PCL/medial collateral ligament (MCL)/posterior lateral corner tears. 7 ACL/PCL/MCL tears, and 10 ACL/PCL/posterior lateral corner tears. ACLs were reconstructed using autograft or allograft patellar tendons. PCLs were reconstructed using allograft Achilles tendon, or autograft patellar tendon. MCL tears were successfully treated with bracing. Posterior lateral instability was successfully treated with long head of the biceps femoris tendon tenodesis. Tegner, Lysholm, and Hospital for Special Surgery knee ligament rating scales significantly improved preoperatively to postoperatively (P = .0001). Corrected anterior KT 1000 measurements improved from preoperative to postoperative status (P = .0078).

Instrumented Measurement of the Posterolateral Corner

A new device called the Lars Rotational Laxiometer (Lars Inc, Dijon, France) is introduced to aid in the diagnosis of posterolateral rotatory instability of the knee. This device assigns a quantitative value for tibial external rotation. Three examiners each evaluated a separate group of 30 different subjects (total 180 knees) to obtain side-to-side differences. The subjects had no history of injury, pain, or instability. An external rotation measurement was performed at 30 degrees and 90 degrees of knee flexion. At 90 degrees, the mean side-to-side difference was 4.4 degrees (range, 3.7 degrees to 5.1 degrees); at 30 degrees it was 5.5 degrees (range, 4.7 degrees to 6.3 degrees). There was no significant difference with gender or age. The purpose of this study is to establish baseline side-to-side values for the posterolateral complex in normal knees. Objective values are obtainable with the Laxiometer.

Conservative and postoperative rehabilitation of isolated and combined injuries of the medial collateral ligament.

Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are very common and there seems to be a consensus supporting the conservative management of grade I and II tears. Grade III tears are also usually treated conservatively unless associated with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament or posterior cruciate ligament. This article outlines rehabilitation programs for conservative treatment of MCL injuries, and postoperative programs after anterior cruciate ligament or multiple ligament reconstruction. In addition, the use of functional and prophylactic bracing for injuries of the MCL is reviewed.

Postoperative rehabilitation of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Diagnosis and management of posterior cruciate ligament injuries has evolved, and now the treatment often includes surgical intervention. The purpose of this paper is to define the current approach to postsurgical management after the posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, review conservative management, and discuss surgical outcomes using a specified program.

Rehabilitation after multiple-ligament reconstruction of the knee.

Diagnosis and management of multiple-ligament knee injuries has evolved over the years, and now treatment often includes surgical intervention. Rehabilitation after multiple-knee ligament reconstruction requires a precarious balance between restoring range of motion and function to the knee without compromising the static stability and integrity of the grafted tissues. It is imperative that the patient is aware of the time commitment, restrictions, and the fact that the entire rehabilitation process will likely take a full year before returning to unrestricted activity. The purpose of this study is to define the current approach to postsurgical management after posterior cruciate ligament-based multiple knee-ligament reconstruction.

Long-term Followup of Surgically Treated Knee Dislocations: Stability Restored, but Arthritis Is Common

BackgroundSurgical treatment of knee dislocations is intended to correct the anatomic injury and restore knee stability and patient function. Several studies have shown successful results with surgical treatment of knee dislocations with up to 10 years of followup, but longer-term studies are uncommon.Questions/purposesWe evaluated patients treated surgically for knee dislocations at 10-year followup to assess (1) knee stability; (2) return to preinjury level of function; (3) development of arthrosis; and (4) range of motion (ROM) loss.MethodsThis study was a retrospective review of 127 combined PCL, ACL, and medial and/or lateral side reconstructions performed by a single surgeon (GCF) between 1990 and 2008. Of these, 44 were available for clinical and functional evaluation (35%) at a minimum 5-year followup. Inclusion criteria were combined PCL/ACL plus medial and/or lateral side reconstruction. Evaluation methods included arthrometer measurements, stress radiography, knee ligament rating and activity scales (Lysholm and Tegner), plain radiographs with osteoarthritic assessment, and physical examination.ResultsOf the 44 patients, there were nine ACL/PCL medial, 22 ACL/PCL lateral, and 13 ACL/PCL mediolateral reconstructions. Followup was at a minimum of 5 years (mean, 10 years; range, 5–22 years). The mean age at the time of injury was 31 years with a range of 13 to 65 years. The mean arthrometer-measured side-to-side differences were as follows: PCL screen, 1.9 mm; corrected posterior, 2.4 mm; corrected anterior, 0.8 mm; and anterior displacement at 30° of knee flexion, 1.7 mm. Stress radiographic measurements at 90° of knee flexion revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 1.9 mm. Mean Lysholm, and Tegner scores were 84 of 100 and 4.1 of 9, respectively. Ninety-three percent (41 of 44) of patients returned to their preinjury level of activity or one Tegner grade lower. Ten of the 44 knees (23%) developed degenerative joint disease. The mean flexion loss was 12.5°, and flexion contractures were not seen in any of the patients.ConclusionsWe found that a high proportion of patients treated for these severe injuries achieved static and functional stability, allowing the return to physically demanding work and recreational activities, but that nearly one-fourth of them will develop arthritis at a mean of 10 years. We cannot extrapolate our results to an elite athlete population, but our results probably apply well to working class populations.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The predictive value of intraoperative KT-1000 arthrometer measurements in single incision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

We reviewed 28 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with immediate, 1-, 2-, and 3-year postreconstruction KT-1000 manual maximum testing. Arthrometer measurements were correlated with functional knee criteria to evaluate the ability of the KT-1000 to predict postreconstruction functional results. Despite a range of immediate postreconstruction arthrometer injured-minus-normal (I - N) differences, there was no association with I - N difference at last follow-up. Patients followed-up for 1 year were not different from those who were followed-up for longer with respect to intraoperative or 1-year I - N difference or functional performance scores. Furthermore, excellent functional knee scores were the norm at all stages of follow-up despite a wide range of arthrometric laxity changes. The results suggest that functional knee criteria, although partially subjective, are more useful indicators of outcome than intrareconstruction and postreconstruction arthrometric measures.