Clinical and Radiological Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Dual Tibial Tunnel Double Sutures Knot-bump Fixation Technique for Acute Displaced Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fractures

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

Department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India

Abstract

Background: Many fixation options (Open and arthroscopic) are described for Posterior Cruciate Ligament avulsion
(PCL) fractures. In this retrospective series, we evaluated functional and radiographic outcomes following arthroscopic
dual tunnel double sutures knot bump technique for acute PCL tibial end avulsion fractures.
Methods: 23 patients with acute PCL avulsion fractures who were operated between 2009 and 2016 by Arthroscopic
dual tunnel double sutures technique at a minimum of two years of follow-up were included in the study. Clinical
outcomes were measured by Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. The
radiographic assessment included union status of fracture, the grade of osteoarthritis, and knee laxity.
Results: The mean age of patients was 34.43 years (range, 18-54 years) with a mean follow up of 52.8 months
(36-94 months). At the final follow-up, mean subjective IKDC and Lysholm scores were 82.71 (range, 65.5-100) and
95.82 (range, 81-100), respectively. On the IKDC objective scale, ten patients (43.47%) were graded as A, 11 patients
[47.82%] as grade B, and two patients as grade C [8.7%]. On kneeling stress view, knee laxity in 21 patients (91.3%)
was graded 0, and the remaining two as grade I and II. The fracture had united in all cases by the end of 12 weeks
except one which had non-union. 21 patients had no evidence of osteoarthritis at the final follow up.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic dual tibial tunnel double suture knot bump technique for acute PCL avulsion fractures is a
safe and reliable technique that restores the stability and function of the knee.
Level of evidence: IV

Keywords


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