Abstract
Introduction: This prospective study is designed to evaluate PCL reconstruction using the arthroscopic ‘double bundle technique’ in a consecutive series of patients with multiple ligament instability.
Methods: 12 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at Warrington Hospital for a combined ligament injury with PCL tear between 2001 and 2004 were included in the study. The indication for surgery was functional disability of the knee due to pain and instability. All were male patients with an average age 33 years (range 18 to 44). Average time from injury to surgery was 31.5 months (range 1 day to 96 months). The evaluation parameters included functional assessment, clinical examination, and functional score. All data was collected prospectively. The average period of follow up was 23months (range 9 to 50 months)
Results: Using the IKDC subjective assessment 63% of the patients had normal/near normal knee function (range 16 to 94). On Lysholm scoring 71% reported good or excellent results. On objective examination 83% had abolition of reverse pivot with 91% showing no evidence of PLC instability.
Conclusions: Arthroscopic double bundle PCL reconstruction in this study produced a satisfactory clinical outcome in terms of return to function objective assessment and symptom improvement. The technique has improved results in terms of outcome than previous reports in the literature would suggest.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Tim Wilton, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
