ObjectiveTo investigate effect of posterior oblique ligament (POL) repair on the rotational stability of the knee joint for the medial collateral ligament (MCL) combined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures.MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients (50 knees) with grade-3 MCL-ACL combined injuries who met the selection criteria between January 2013 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All ACLs were reconstructed with autogenous tendon and the superficial and deep layers of MCLs were sutured; then, POLs were also sutured in 25 patients of repair group and only received conservation treatment postoperatively in 25 patients of conservation group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, and preoperative KT-1000 measuring, medial joint space opening, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and knee range of motion between the two groups (P>0.05).ResultsAll incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, no surgical related complications occurred. All patients were followed up, with follow-up time of 28-56 months (mean, 38.1 months) in repair group and 26-55 months (mean, 29.1 months) in conservation group. At last follow-up, the IKDC score, VAS score, KT-1000 measuring, medial joint space opening, and knee range of motion significantly improved in the two groups when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The Slocum test showed that there was no instability of the anterior medial rotation in the two groups.ConclusionThe POL repair can’t obtain more medial stability after ACL reconstruction and MCL repair (superficial and deep layers) for patients who have MCL-ACL combined injuries.
ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare knee joint stability of grade Ⅲ medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury treated by single-bundle and anatomical double-bundle reconstruction methods, thus providing biomechanical basis for clinical treatment.MethodsNine fresh cadaver specimens of normal human knee joints were randomly divided into 3 groups on average. In intact MCL group: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was detached and reconstructed with single-bundle techniques, and the MCL was intact. In single-bundle and double-bundle reconstruction groups, the superficial MCL (sMCL), posterior oblique ligament (POL), and ACL were all detached to manufacturing grade Ⅲ MCL injury models. After single-bundle reconstruction of ACL, the sMCL single-bundle reconstruction and anatomical double-bundle reconstruction of sMCL and POL were performed, respectively. Biomechanical evaluation indexes included anterior tibial translation (ATT), internal rotation (IR), valgus rotation (VAL), and stresses of MCL and ACL under internal rotation and valgus torques at different ranges of motion of the knee joint.ResultsThere was no significant difference in ATT at full extension and flexion of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° between groups (P>0.05). At full extension and flexion of 15°, the IR and VAL were significantly higher in single-bundle reconstruction group than in double-bundle reconstruction group and intact MCL group (P<0.05). At flexion of 30°, the VAL was significantly higher in single-bundle reconstruction group than in double-bundle reconstruction group and intact MCL group (P<0.05). While there was no significant difference between double-bundle reconstruction group and intact MCL group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the stresses of MCL and ACL between groups under the internal rotation and valgus torques at all positions (P>0.05).ConclusionMCL anatomical double-bundle reconstruction can acquire better valgus and rotational stability of the knee joint compared with single-bundle reconstruction.