Posterolateral corner reconstruction of the knee: evaluation of a technique with clinical outcomes and stress radiography.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee remain a challenging problem and have been cited frequently as a reason for failure of anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Although several reconstructive techniques currently exist, there are relatively few clinical outcomes data after reconstruction of the posterolateral corner.

PURPOSE: The study was undertaken to examine the clinical outcomes and provide objective data using arthrometry and stress radiography of a posterolateral corner reconstruction technique.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of patients who underwent posterolateral corner reconstruction of the knee was evaluated. The surgery featured dual femoral tunnels, a transfibular tunnel, and a free graft to reconstruct the posterolateral corner of the knee. All patients had concomitant reconstruction of one or both cruciate ligaments. Outcomes were assessed using the Short Form-12, Lysholm, and Tegner knee scores. A clinical examination, KT-2000 arthrometry measurements, single-legged hop quotient, and varus and posterior Telos stress radiographs were obtained and compared with results for the contralateral, uninjured knees.

RESULTS: Twenty-four (83%) of 29 consecutive patients were evaluated at a mean 39 months postoperatively (range, 24-81 months). The mean Lysholm and Tegner knee scores were 83 and 6, respectively. The mean difference (+/- standard deviation) in total anterior-posterior side-to-side KT arthrometry measurements was 1.4 +/- 1.3 mm. The varus stress radiographic mean side-to-side difference measured at 20 degrees of flexion was 0.2 +/- 1.9 mm. The mean radiographic posterior tibial displacement with a 15-kg stress at 90 degrees of flexion was 3.2 +/- 4.5 mm in patients undergoing posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

CONCLUSION: This reconstruction of the posterolateral corner of the knee with concomitant cruciate ligament reconstruction restores varus and rotational stability at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.