Arthroscopic Direct Anterior-to-Posterior Suture Suspension Fixation for the Treatment of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fracture

Abstract

Objectives: A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture of the tibial attachment site is a specific type of PCL injury that is difficult and unpleasant to manage. The objective of this study is to report the preliminary results of a newly developed technique: arthroscopic endobutton-suture fixation using a single tibial tunnel.

Methods: From January 2016 to January 2018, 120 patients with PCL avulsion fracture who met our criteria were recruited. Sixty cases were treated by arthroscopic direct anterior-to-posterior suture suspension fixation (endobutton-suture group), and 60 cases were treated by arthroscopic screw-suture fixation (screw-suture group). All radiographic studies were recorded. The curative effect was evaluated by the range of motion (ROM), KT-2000, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Tegner activity scale, and Lysholm scoring system. For statistical analysis the Student t-test was used.

Results: The average follow-up duration was 24 months. Findings and difficulties in surgery are the following. The lax anterior cruciate ligament is one of the diagnostic criteria. The anatomic location of PCL avulsion fractures is deep and surrounded by nerves and vessels; thus, operating through this region is difficult. After each tunnel drilling, the debris at the edge of opening needs to be cleaned to avoid obscuring the operator's vision or wearing the sutures. In endobutton-suture group, ROM improved from 0° preoperatively to 140.0° ± 5.6° at the last follow-up (P < 0.001). The postoperative KT-2000 arthrometric data at 90 N were available for all patients. The IKDC score was 23.6 ± 2.6 and 91.4 ± 4.1 pre- and postoperatively, respectively. The Tegner score improved from 1.2 ± 0.6 to 7.3 ± 2.3 (p < 0.001). The median Lysholm knee score increased from 40.4 ± 5.2 preoperatively to 90.1 ± 10.1 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The operative time was shorter in the endobutton-suture group (p < 0.001). The Lysholm knee score in the endobutton-suture group was lower than that in the endobutton-suture group (3.1 ± 1.2 vs. 4.2 ± 1.8, p < 0.01). No significant complications were noted in the study.

Conclusions: The arthroscopic direct anterior-to-posterior suture suspension fixation is a simple and reliable method that not only provides better clinical outcomes, but also fixes avulsion fragments of any size.

Keywords: Arthroscopic technique; Avulsion fracture; Endobutton; Posterior cruciate ligament.