Short to Mid-term Outcomes of Single-stage Reconstruction of Multiligament Knee Injury

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.

Abstract

Background: Multiligament knee injury (MLKI) is a complex orthopedic injury leading to the tear of at least two of
the major knee ligaments. However, there is no consensus on the optimal management of this debilitating condition.
Regarding this, the present study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of single-stage multiligament reconstruction
surgery in patients with MLKI.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 41 consecutive MLKI patients who underwent surgical
reconstruction. Objective evaluation of the outcome included active extension and flexion. Furthermore, the subjective
evaluation of the outcome was accomplished using the Lysholm scoring scale and International Knee Documentation
Committee (IKDC) form in Persian. Postoperative complications were also recorded for all patients.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.95±7.82 years. In addition, the mean follow-up period and the
mean time interval between the injury and surgery were recorded as 36.9±17.8 and 11.5±8.9 months, respectively. The
mean Lysholm and IKDC scores were obtained as 86.9±11.5 and 70±18.7, respectively. The mean Lysholm and IKDC
scores were not statistically different between the patients who underwent surgery less than 6 months after the injury
and those subjected to reconstruction 6 months postinjury (P=0.07 and P=0.3, respectively). Seven patients showed
postoperative restricted range of motion, which was resolved with physiotherapy. The only surgical complication was
popliteal artery injury.
Conclusion: As the findings indicated, the single-stage reconstruction of MLKI provided an acceptable outcome.
However, several aspects of this reconstruction, such as the timing of the surgery, still remain to be resolved in future
investigations.
Level of evidence: IV

Keywords

Main Subjects


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