Posterior cruciate ligament allograft reconstruction with and without a ligament augmentation device

Twenty-five patients with posterior cruciate ligament ruptures were treated with either allograft reconstruction alone (10 patients) or with an allograft-ligament augmentation device composite (15 patients). At follow-up (mean 45 months) the results were assessed with the Cincinnati Knee Rating System. There were no significant differences between the two groups for symptoms, functional limitations, sports activity levels, or the overall rating score. The ligament augmentation device provided no benefit. In both groups, the allograft and the allograft composite restored posterior stability at lower functional knee flexion angles, but not uniformly at higher flexion angles (70 degrees). Patients with acute ruptures faired significantly better than did those with chronic ruptures because they had lower anterior-posterior displacements and fewer symptoms and functional limitations. We recommend consideration of early arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for acute ruptures in active patients. An immediate knee motion program was not deleterious to graft fixation and is recommended.