Treatment modalities in management of posterolaterl corner injuries of the knee, Case series

Abstract

Background Lateral side injuries of the knee are complex. Although the author now understand this group of complicated tissues better, it is still unclear which surgical procedure is ideal. The author hypothesize that acute repair of cases is enough for posterolateral corner (PLC) injury. Also, Larson's technique is equal to biceps femoris tenodesis reconstruction of posterolateral corner. Methods Case series study of 41 patients included in this series with 14 cases of repair and 27 cases of reconstructions using Larson's technique or biceps femoris tenodesisis. Patients were followed clinically and recorded with IKDC score. Results 41 patients had a minimum clinical follow-up of 24 months. 14 patients underwent acute primary repairs; with 11 having successful results and three (21%) being unsuccessful. 15 patients had reconstructions using the Larson's approach, with 14 successful outcomes and 1 (6.6%) failure. 12 patients underwent biceps tenodesis, with 9 (75%) successful results, and three (25%) being unsuccessful. Clinical evaluation results showed no discernible difference in stability between repairs and reconstructions (P > 0.05). 17 (41.5%) knees were found to be normal, 17 (41.5%) near-normal, 4 (9.8%) abnormal, and 3 (7.3%) severely abnormal according to the IKDC score final assessments. Conclusion When compared with the results from reconstruction, results from repair of soft tissue injury were significantly inferior. Results of repair of avulsion fracture have been significantly superior in comparison with result of soft tissue repair. Results of Larson's technique have been significant superior when compared with results from biceps femoris tenodesis.