Evaluation of posterior cruciate ligament healing: a study using magnetic resonance imaging and stress radiography.
OBJECTIVE
To review a series of tears of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in order to understand its healing process, as well as to identify prognostic factors.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with isolated or combined PCL tears were evaluated and followed-up for 1 year after their initial injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and stress radiographs were obtained serially at the time of injury, at 6 months, and at 12 months.


RESULTS
Twelve of 18 PCL tears were found to have regained continuity at the 1-year follow-up. These patients complained of an isolated or combined PCL/medial collateral ligament injury at time 0 and all presented a posterior subluxation of less than 8 mm, detected with stress radiographs. The remaining 6 patients had posterior subluxations greater than 12 mm and presented with combined posterolateral corner injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
This study underlines the importance of a complete MRI evaluation used in combination with stress radiography to adequately assess the healing process. The results obtained suggest that complete PCL tears with greater than 12 mm of posterior subluxation, as well as combined PLC injuries, are less likely to heal completely. These factors could further aid the surgeon in deciding the need and timing for surgical intervention in the acute setting of a PCL tear.


METHODS
Level II.
Mariani
Pier Paolo
PP
Rome University of Motor Sciences, Rome, Italy. ppmariani@virgilio.it
Margheritini
Fabrizio
F
Christel
Pascal
P
Bellelli
Alberto
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D011187:Posture; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014945:Wound Healing