Outcomes following anatomic fibular (lateral) collateral ligament reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes following anatomic fibular (lateral) collateral ligament (FCL) reconstruction. It was hypothesized that anatomic FCL reconstruction would result in improved subjective clinical outcomes and a high patient satisfaction with outcome.

All patients 18 years or older who underwent FCL reconstruction from April 2010 to January 2013 with no other posterolateral corner pathology were included in this study. Patient subjective outcome scores were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively.

There were 43 patients (22 males, 21 females, median age = 28.3 years, range 18.7-68.8) included in this study. The median time from injury to surgery was 22 days. Follow-up was obtained for 88 % of patients (n = 36) with a mean follow-up of 2.7 years. The mean Lysholm score significantly improved from 49 (range 11-100) to 84 (range 55-100) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean WOMAC score significantly improved from 37 (range 3-96) to 8 (range 0-46) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median SF-12 physical component subscale score significantly improved from 35 (range 22-58) to 56 (range 24-62) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median SF-12 mental component subscale score did not show significant change preoperatively 54 (range 29-69) to postoperatively 55 (range 25-62). The median preoperative Tegner activity scale improved from 2 (range 0-10) to 6 (range 2-10) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median patient satisfaction with outcome was 8 (range 1-10). Postoperative patient-reported outcome scores were not significantly different for patients who underwent concomitant ACL reconstruction compared to patients without ACL reconstruction.

An anatomic FCL reconstruction with a semitendinosus graft significantly improved patient function and yielded high patient satisfaction in the 43 patients. Additionally, there was no significant difference in patient-reported outcomes when accounting for concomitant ACL reconstruction.

Level IV.