Transposition of the semitendinosus tendon for early repair of medial and anteromedial laxity of the knee.
In 15 patients with acute medial (N = 8) or anteromedial (N = 7) laxity of the knee, reconstruction of the torn ligaments was combined with the use of the semitendinosus tendon as a dynamic extra-articular stabilizer. The postoperative regimen consisted of early mobilization in a mobile cast with full weight bearing. An evaluation 1 to 3 years after surgery revealed good results in 14 cases, and one fair result as graded using the Marshall score (mean score 45.3, SD 2.9). Isokinetic measurements of knee flexion and extension showed no loss of strength. Equally good results have been reported in conservatively treated isolated MCL lesions. In case of a combination of a MCL lesion and an ACL lesion the results reported are usually worse. This treatment regimen seems to be a good concept in acute anteromedial laxity of the knee and cannot be considered anything but an alternative in isolated MCL lesions.
Veldhuizen
J W
JW
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Stapert
J W
JW
Oostvogel
H J
HJ
Koene
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*