Primary repair in posterior cruciate ligament injuries

A retrospective study of 32 consecutive patients with acute injury of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) treated by primary repair is presented. Only six patients had isolated injuries of the PCL, five of these as avulsion of a bone fragment from the tibia. The remaining 26 patients sustained combined ligament injuries, including 18 total ACL tears. All ruptured ligaments were repaired. At follow-up after 4 (1-7) years, function in 26 patients was excellent-good and in six fair-poor. Moderate or severe posterior instability was found in seven patients by clinical examination but their function was as good as in those with stable knees. Inferior functional results, however, were more often related to rotatory instability. Primary repair of PCL-injuries, including all associated ligament injuries, is recommended.