Operative treatment of combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries in complex knee trauma: can the cruciate ligaments be preserved?

• Published in: The American journal of knee surgery Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 74
• Main Authors: Martinek, V, Steinbacher, G, Friederich, N F, Müller, W E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2000
• Subjects: Adult; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - surgery; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Joint Dislocations - surgery; Knee Injuries - surgery; Knee Joint - physiopathology; Male; Posterior Cruciate Ligament - injuries; Posterior Cruciate Ligament - surgery; Postoperative Care; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Suture Techniques; Tendon Transfer; Time Factors; Transplantation, Autologous
• ISSN: 0899-7403

A retrospective study was performed focusing on operative treatment after combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. The operative treatment included the preservation of one or both cruciate ligaments. Twenty-eight patients, average age 30 years (range: 12-55 years), were evaluated 5.4 years (range: 1-14 years) postoperatively. Twenty-two operations were performed in patients with acute injuries (<30 days after trauma) and 6 operations in patients with chronic instabilities (>30 days after trauma). Both cruciate ligaments were preserved by suture or refixation in 16 patients. Suture of one and reconstruction of the other cruciate ligament with autologous tendon graft was performed in 12 cases. In addition, 61 procedures (meniscal suture/resection, medial/lateral reconstruction, tendon suture, and open reduction and internal fixation were performed. Postoperative treatment included continuous passive motion and protected weight bearing. Eleven (27% acute, 83% chronic) patients required revision (ACL/PCL reconstruction, osteotomy, and meniscal repair). At follow-up, 43% of the patients were very satisfied and 46% were satisfied. Seventy-one percent (89% preinjury) of the patients were able to maintain intensive and moderate International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity levels. The IKDC evaluation of the patients (acute %/chronic cases %) was graded for symptoms: A 39% (45/17), B 35% (27/67), C 15% (18/0), and D 11% (9/17); for range of motion: A 42% (36/67), B 42% (50/17), C 16% (14/17), and D 0%; and for ligaments: A 21% (18/17), B 33% (45/0), C 42% (32/83), and D 4% (5/0). Radiographic findings were A 18%, B 41%, and C 41%. Primary repair of acute injuries was superior to the delayed repair of chronic instabilities. Preservation of cruciate ligaments in acute combined ACL/PCL tears results in a satisfying knee function despite distinct residual ligament instability. Although suture of the cruciate ligaments in open technique is a therapeutic option in acute multiligamentous knee injuries, it is not recommended for the treatment of chronic instabilities.