Isolated injury of the posterior cruciate ligament. Surgical treatment of isolated posterior cruciate tears: a multicentric retrospective study of 103 patients | Traitement chirurgical d'une rupture isolée du ligament croisé postérieur: Résultats d'une série rétrospective multicentrique de 103 patients

Purpose of the study: We present a retrospective multicentric series of carefully selected patients presenting « isolated » laxity of the posterior cruciate ligament. Material and methods: The series included 103 patients who were reviewed clinically (with a dedicated review chart) and radiographically with measurement of posterior laxity (Telos 15 kg). Results: In these patients with an isolated injury of the PCL (without associated injury of the peripheral ligament): - ligamentoplasty, all methods considered together, significant improvement was achieved in knee function, level of activity and level of sports activity; postoperative knee function was however below the pre-injury level; - the subjective outcome was good and conditioned renewed sports activity but was independent of the degree of residual laxity; - ligamentoplasty of the PCL does not enable total resolution of posterior laxity; a mean gain of 6 mm (50%) can be expected; - technically, arthroscopic single-strand ligament reconstruction without an artificial tutor and using any type of graft (patellar tendon, quadriceps or hamstring tendon) with a double tibial fixation appears to be the best option; - functionally, immediate weight bearing appears to be given, preferring rehabilitation in the ventral prone position. Discussion: The short follow-up of this series (four years) does not enable an assessment of the risk or benefit of PCL ligamentoplasty for arthrosic knees. © Masson, 2005.