title: Failure of heat shrinkage for treatment of a posterior cruciate ligament tear.
abstract: Incomplete tears or traumatic elongations of either the native cruciate ligaments or cruciate ligament reconstructions represent a therapeutic dilemma for orthopaedic surgeons. We report a case of a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament that was treated unsuccessfully with an electrothermal shrinkage procedure. Although the use of thermal energy to selectively shrink tissues may ultimately prove to be an invaluable tool, the lack of well-designed, randomized controlled studies to firmly establish its efficacy in the treatment of partial cruciate injuries mandates cautious use of this technique at this time.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Los Angeles, California 90095-6902, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Oakes
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: McAllister
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001915:Braces; D003094:Collagen / Q000528:radiation effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006173:Gymnastics; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D031221:Knee Dislocation / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000637:transplantation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000293:injuries*; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012086:Reoperation; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen