Outcomes of Repair and Reconstruction for the Acute Posterolateral Corner Injuries of the Knee, Combined with Cruciate Ligaments Injuries

Background: The aim of current study was to report objective and subjective knee stability scores for patients who underwent acute repair of avulsed PLC structures or acute reconstruction of midsubstance tears, combined with delayed reconstruction of cruciate ligaments. Methods: Forty-eight sport and vehicle accident traumatic patients were enrolled in a three-year follow-up study. The patients were investigated by clinical exams, subjective and objective IKDC score, Tegner score, Lysholm score, and stress imaging. All scores were compared between the reconstruction and repair group. Results: Subjective IKDC score for the reconstruction group was 83.3 ± 9.6 and for repair was 88.3 ± 4.39. Only two patients in the reconstruction group had abnormal objective IKDC Score. Based on the Tegner score, 15 out of 18 patients in the repair group and 20 out of 24 patients in the reconstruction group regained their preinjury functional level. Average Lysholm scores for the reconstruction and repair group were 83.4 ± 8.2 and 88.2 ± 4.1, respectively. Average lateral joint opening difference between two knees in the reconstruction and repair groups were -0.2 ± 0.1mm and 0.5 ± 0.1mm, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between groups outcomes. We had no failure of treatment at the final follow-up. Conclusion: Acute intervention within three weeks after PLC injuries combined with delay cruciate ligaments reconstructions showed favorable outcomes. When decided based on the type of injury (avulsion and midsubstance tear), both repair and reconstruction are effective.