Knee Stability After Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Female Versus Male Patients: A Prospective Matched-Group Analysis

PurposeTo analyze outcome differences after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction in male and female patients.MethodsA prospective database of 234 PCL reconstructions (53 female and 181 male patients) with either isolated or combined procedures was analyzed. Patients were followed up for a mean of 62 months (range, 34 to 110 months) by use of stress radiography and the International Knee Documentation Committee score. We included 32 female patients for a matched-group analysis and compared them with 32 matching male patients. Matching parameters were number/type of reconstructed ligaments, revision/primary surgery, autograft/allograft use, preoperative tibial displacement, time interval from injury to surgery, follow-up interval, and age.ResultsThere was no preoperative difference in posterior stress radiographs (12.9 ± 3.0 mm in female patients and 13.2 ± 2.3 mm in male patients). After surgery, both groups showed a significant reduction in posterior displacement (6.0 ± 2.5 mm [54% reduction] in female patients and 7.8 ± 2.2 mm [40% reduction] in male patients). There was a significant greater reduction of posterior laxity in female patients. International Knee Documentation Committee scoring showed a significant improvement in both groups.ConclusionsWe found in this specific patient series a superior reduction of posterior tibial laxity in female patients compared with male patients, indicating that possible gender-related differences exist after PCL surgery.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study using prospective data.