Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness after static anatomical reconstruction of posterolateral complex (PLC) in the treatment of traumatic multi-ligament injury of the knee. Methods Between June 2007 and July 2011, 23 cases of multi-ligament injury of the knee were treated. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 19-56 years). The injury was caused by traffic accident in 9 cases, sprain in 7 cases, bruise in 3 cases, and falling from height in 4 cases. The time between injury and operation was 13-78 days (mean, 32 days). The results of posterior drawer test and Lachman test were positive, and all cases complicated by varus and external rotation instability. The Lysholm score of the knee was 43.4 ± 5.7. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring, all were rated as grade D. According to Fanelli typing, all were classified as type C. The X-ray films showed that load-induced posterior motion of the knee was (13.3 ± 4.2) mm; the lateral joint space was (15.1 ± 2.4) mm. Anterior cruciate ligament/posterior cruciate ligament and PLC were reconstructed simultaneously with auto-semitendinosus, gracilis tendon, and allogeneic tendon. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 12-56 months (mean, 28 months). At last follow-up, the results of posterior drawer test and Lachman test were negative; 3 cases had varus instability, and 2 cases had external rotation instability. The Lysholm score of the knee was 85.6 ± 16.7, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=11.469, P=0.000). According to IKDC scoring, 7 cases were rated as grade A, 12 as grade B, and 4 as grade C; significant difference was found when compared with preoperative value (Z=4.285, P=0.000). The load-induced posterior motion of the knee was (5.1 ± 4.4) mm, the lateral joint space was (3.2 ± 2.8) mm, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion In the treatment of traumatic multi-ligament injury of the knee, the anatomical reconstruction of the PLC using auto-semitendinosus, gracilis tendon, or allogeneic tendon can obtain good short-term effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy between medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair and MCL reconstruction in multi-ligament injury. MethodsThirty-one patients with MCL rupture and multi-ligament injury of knee joint were treated between August 2008 and August 2012, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of 31 patients, 11 cases underwent MCL repair (repair group), and 20 cases underwent MCL reconstruction (reconstruction group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass, injury side, injury cause, and preoperative knee Lyshlom score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, range of motion, and medial joint opening between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative knee subjective function and stability were compared between 2 groups. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, and no postoperative complication occurred. All patients were followed up 2-4 years (mean, 3.2 years). At 2 years after operation, the IKDC subjective score, Lyshlom score, and range of motion were significantly increased in 2 groups when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). The range of motion of reconstruction group was significantly better than that of repair group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in IKDC subjective score and Lyshlom score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The medial joint opening was significantly improved in 2 groups at 2 years after operation when compared with preoperative one (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionBoth the MCL reconstruction and MCL repair can restore medial stability in multi-ligament injury, but MCL reconstruction is better than MCL repair in range of motion.