Percutaneous Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is 1 of the 3 major static stabilizers of the lateral knee. It acts as a restraint to varus stress as well as posterolateral rotation of the knee. Injury to the LCL rarely occurs in isolation. It is usually associated with injuries to other structures such as the anterior and/or posterior cruciate ligament, as well as other ligaments of the posterolateral corner. Grade I and II tears are usually treated conservatively, whereas complete tears are treated by either primary repair or reconstruction. This article describes a surgical technique in which the LCL is reconstructed percutaneously using an autograft.