Distal Medial Collateral Ligament Avulsion Repair

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Knee biomechanics

Background:

• The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is crucial for resisting valgus stress in the knee.
• Management of grade III MCL tears remains controversial, with debate over operative versus nonoperative approaches.
• Tear location and chronicity influence the choice between MCL repair and reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel surgical technique for primary MCL repair.
• To address the need for effective methods in managing MCL incompetence, particularly distal avulsions.
• To introduce the washer post-suture construct for direct MCL repair.

Main Methods:

• Description of a primary MCL repair technique.
• Utilizing a washer post-suture construct for fixation.
• Application in cases of distal MCL avulsions with good tissue quality.

Main Results:

• Direct MCL repair, especially for distal avulsions, has demonstrated excellent mid-term outcomes.
• The presented washer post-suture construct aims to optimize primary repair.
• This technique addresses a specific subset of MCL injuries where direct repair is considered.

Conclusions:

• Primary MCL repair using a washer post-suture construct is a viable option for distal MCL avulsions.
• This technique contributes to the understanding of operative management for MCL incompetence.
• Further research may validate the long-term efficacy of this specific repair method.