The results of surgical repair of acute tears of the posterior cruciate ligament

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Pournaras-J; Symeonides-PP Clin-Orthop. 1991 Jun(267): 103-7 In 20 patients, the torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was repaired without reinforcement within two weeks after injury. Fourteen patients had a midsubstance tear, and in six the ligament was avulsed from the femur without bone. There were 11 isolated and nine combined injuries. The follow-up period ranged from two to 10.5 years. Postoperatively, all had posterior instability graded from 1+ to 2+. Nevertheless, the subjective results were good in 15 patients, fair in five, and poor in none. Posterior instability did not produce significant functional impairment of the knee for a considerable number of years. Suture alone cannot restore the PCL and is not strong enough to withstand the applied forces on the knee.