title: Complications of posterior cruciate ligament surgery.
abstract: In addition to standard risks associated with all orthopedic surgical procedures, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction poses some relatively unique potential complications. These complications arise from a combination of several factors: the relative infrequency of PCL injuries, the lack of knowledge and experience in treating them, the proximity of neurovascular structures to the PCL, and the technically demanding nature of reconstructive procedures. This article discusses the anatomy, pathogenesis, and prevention of intraoperative and postoperative complications of PCL surgery including neurovascular injury, osteonecrosis, fracture, motion loss, and persistent laxity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Zawodny
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000294:innervation; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome