Proprioceptive function after isolated single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic posterior cruciate ligament injuries

IntroductionPosterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction using the remnant preserving technique may contribute to improved postoperative posterior stability, graft healing, and proprioception recovery. Although there have been several reports on remnant preserving PCL reconstruction, no study has yet evaluated the proprioceptive functions before and after PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes and proprioceptive function after isolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic PCL injuries.HypothesisIsolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation surgery for chronic PCL injuries provides satisfactory clinical outcomes and good recovery of the proprioceptive function.MethodsNineteen patients who had undergone isolated single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation for chronic PCL injuries were followed up for more than 2 years. The posterior laxity was measured by the gravity sag view, stress radiography and the KT-2000 knee arthrometer. The proprioceptive function was defined as the threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM).ResultsThe average Lysholm score significantly improved from 63.7 ± 13.2 preoperatively to 94.4 ± 4.6 at final follow-up. The postoperative posterior laxity significantly improved. Regarding TTDPM, there were no significant differences between the preoperative score and the score at every given time point, regardless of the starting angles and the moving directions of the knees.ConclusionsThe proprioceptive function, defined as TTDPM, is maintained after single-bundle PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation, and the postoperative clinical scores and posterior laxity significantly improve.Level of evidenceLevel IV, therapeutic case series.