Posterior cruciate recession in total knee arthroplasty

Incremental recession of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), as a part of ligamentous balancing in total knee arthroplasty, is critical if the PCL is too tight. This study was undertaken to evaluate any possible untoward effects of PCL recession. Twenty-one patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty between 1988 and 1992 with a PCL recession performed only on one side (necessary to balance the knee) served as the study group. The average follow-up period was 4 years. The patients were evaluated subjectively, by manual physical testing, by radiography, and by KT-1000 arthrometry (Medmetric, San Diego, CA). There were no significant differences between the recessed and nonrecessed knees. The conclusion is that PCL recession is appropriate and safe long-term for the patient in whom the PCL is found to be too tight at the time of knee arthroplasty.