title: Surgical technique: development of an anatomic medial knee reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main static stabilizers of the medial knee are the superficial medial collateral and posterior oblique ligaments. A number of reconstructive techniques have been advocated including one we describe here. However, whether these reconstructions restore function and stability is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This anatomic reconstruction technique consisted of reconstruction of the proximal and distal divisions of the superficial medial collateral and the posterior oblique ligament using two separate grafts.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively followed all 28 patients (19 male, nine females) who had this new reconstruction between 2007 and 2009. The average age was 32.4 years (range, 16-56 years). There were eight acute and 20 chronic injuries. All patients presented with side-to-side instability with activities of daily living and other higher level activities. Minimum followup was 6 months (average, 1.5 years; range, 0.5-3 years). No patients were lost to followup.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee subjective outcome scores averaged 43.5 (range, 14-66) and final postoperative values averaged 76.2 (range, 54-88). Preoperative valgus stress radiographs averaged 6.2 mm of medial compartment gapping compared with the contralateral normal knee, whereas postoperative stress radiographs averaged 1.3 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early observations suggest this anatomic reconstruction technique improves overall patient function and restores valgus instability.
authors: Steadman Philippon Research Institute, The Steadman Clinic, 181 West Meadow Drive, Suite 400, Vail, CO 81657, USA. drlaprade@sprivail.org
authors: Robert F
authors: RF
authors: Laprade
authors: Coen A
authors: CA
authors: Wijdicks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult