Open Repair of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Femoral Peel-Off Lesion in Multiligamentous Knee Injuries Results in Good Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To identify posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) peel-off lesions, to separate these lesions from more common midsubstance tears, and to evaluate patient outcomes after primary open repair.

METHODS

Patients with acute femoral-side "peel off"-type lesions associated with multiligamentous injuries who underwent PCL repair were identified. Patients with chronic PCL injuries, midsubstance PCL tears, or PCL tibial avulsions were excluded from the study. A total of 11 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent open repair using a suture pullout technique.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 18 months. The mean Lysholm score at 12 months was 87. Mean knee range of motion (flexion) achieved at 12 months was 121°. No patient had grade 3 laxity on posterior stress testing at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed good outcomes after primary repair of femoral PCL peel-off lesions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.