[ARTHROSCOPIC SINGLE BUNDLE POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION USING HAMSTRING TENDONS THROUGH POSTERIOR...

To introduce the arthroscopic single bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction using hamstring tendons through posterior trans-septum portal approach with preservation of the remnant PCL fibers, and to evaluate the clinical results.

Between June 2010 and April 2014, 57 patients with PCL rupture were treated with arthroscopic single bundle PCL reconstruction using hamstring tendons through posterior trans-septum portal approach with preservation of the remnant PCL fibers. There were 41 males and 16 females, aged 19-42 years (mean, 27.7 years). All the patients had history of injury. The results of posterior drawer test were positive, including 9 cases of grade II and 48 cases of grade III. The disease duration ranged from 2 weeks to 25 months (mean, 13 months). The Lysholm score and the range of motion of knee joint were used to evaluate the knee function.

The operation performed smoothly, and no complications of blood vessel and nerve injuries and infection occurred. Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no early complication occurred after operation. The patients were followed up 16.6 months on average (range, 12-20 months). At last follow-up, the knee range of motion returned to normal in all cases (120-130° in flexion). MRI at last follow-up showed good continuity of the PCL graft and complete healing of the remnant PCL tissues between the femoral and tibial attachments. The Lysholm score was significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (t= -27.429, P = 0.000).

Arthroscopic single bundle PCL reconstruction using hamstring tendons through posterior trans-septum portal approach with preservation of the remnant PCL fibers has the advantages of firm fixation, simple operation, and good knee function recovery.