Short-term functional outcomes of a delayed single-stage reconstruction of chronic posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner deficiency

AIMS: To evaluate the functional outcomes of a delayed (>6 months post-injury) and combined reconstruction of grade III posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and grade III posterolateral corner (PLC) deficiencies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2006 and October 2009, a delayed surgery consisting of arthroscopically-assisted PCL reconstruction and open reconstruction of the PLC was performed on 19 men and 2 women (average age, 29 years). The mean time-to-surgery was 18 months (range, 7-51 months) and duration of follow-up was 22 months (range, 12-48 months). Postoperatively, patients were evaluated using Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective scores.
RESULTS: At the final follow-up, majority of the knees (61.9%) achieved either normal or nearly normal rating objective IKDC score. The means of IKDC subjective score, Lysholm score and Tegner activity level were 62.09, 74.35 and 5.14 respectively. One patient was able to participate in competitive sport, 5 patients were able to be involved in recreational sports for at least 5 times per week, 10 patients were able to perform heavy labour and recreational sports for at least twice weekly, 4 patients were able to engage in moderately heavy labour work and one patient was only able to perform light labour work. There was no significant statistical association found between the time-to-surgery and the final patients' outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: A delayed simultaneous reconstruction of chronic grade III PCL and PLC deficiencies can restore sufficient function for standard daily and recreational sports activities to the patients.