PCL, PLC, Knee Dislocation

POSTGRAD ORTH Deiary Kader
Postgraduate Orthpaedics
FRCS(Tr&Orth) Revision Course
Professor Deiary Kader
Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon
Knee Surgeon
Newcastle Nuffield

PCL and PLC
Professor Deiary Kader
Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgeon
Knee Surgeon
Newcastle Nuffield Hospital

Classification of knee
Stabilizers
3
Lateral Complex
IT Tract
LCL
Popliteus
Biceps Femoris
Central Complex
ACL
PCL
Med Menx
Lat Menx
Medial Complex
MCL
Postromedial
Capsule
Semi-Memb
Pes anserinus

Paul F. Segond
a Paris surgeon
1879
4

PCL
The strongest ligament in the knee
It is regarded as “a central stabilizer”
Originates from a broad crescent-shaped area in the
posterolateral medial femoral condyle
Inserts centrally posteriorly 1–1.5cm below articular surface
of the tibia
Has an average length of 38 mm and diameter of 13 mm
PCL and quadriceps are dynamic partners in stabilizing the
knee in the sagittal plane 6

PCL
Mechanism of Injury
RTA
– High Velocity
– Often MLI
Sports
Uncommon
– Low Velocity
– Usually Partial
7

Mechanism of injury
3% of all knee injuries
Direct injury dashboard at 90 is the most common
Falling on a flexed knee with foot in plantar flexion
Forced hyperextension (>30º) is associated with multi-
ligament injury
High association with fracture femur

PCL Injury Diagnosis
9
Physical Exam
– Posterior Drawer
– Step off sign
Plain Radiographs
– Look for bony avulsions
– Standing films for chronic injuries (Arthritis)
– Stress Radiographs helpful
MRI
– Not Sensitive
– MLI (common)

PCL
Three components:
AL: Antero-lateral: long and thick part, twice the size
of the posteromedial bundle; tightens in flexion
PM: Posteromedial: tight in extension
Meniscofemoral ligaments: mechanically very strong
Anterior: Humphrey’s ligament
Posterior: Wrisberg’s ligament

Ant Meniscofemoral lig
Humphrey

a. Ant Meniscofemoral lig
Humphrey
b. Post Meniscofemoral lig
Wrisberg

ACL & PCL Recon

Diagnosis 1
MRI & PCL
Clinical examination is more reliable than MRI
scan
The PCL may be dysfunctional despite normal MRI
Kneeling stress x-ray shows the degree of posterior
translation

Diagnosis 2
Clinical
Posterior drawer test at 90 and 30
Quadriceps active drawer test. Flex the knee to 60 and
control the foot then ask the patient to contract the
quads. The test is positive when the tibia reduces.
Posterior sag sign (step-off)
Posterolateral rotatory instability (Dial test prone)
External rotation recurvatum test

Grading of PCL instability
Normal tibia step-off is 10 mm at 90 flexion
Instability could be mild, moderate or severe
Grade I instability is when there is a 5-mm step-off
Grade II instability is when there is no step-off (flush)
Grade III instability is when there is –5 mm step-off
There is a high association between Grade III PCL
injury and posterolateral corner injury.

Management
In isolation, it often causes little long-term
instability. However, it may lead to medial
or PFJ pain (OA) at a later date.
More troublesome in soccer players due to
difficulty in deceleration.

Management 2
Presentation
Acute isolated PCL injury is commonly missed
Present with very little pain in the knee without hemarthrosis
There may be only bruising at the popliteal fossa.
Chronic PCL injury on the other hand may present with pain in
the medial compartment or anterior knee pain.

Treatment
 Treat acute, isolated PCL injury conservatively.
 Extension brace with calf support (Posterior Tibial Support,
PTS Brace) until the pain subsides (4-6 weeks) with quadriceps
rehabilitation
 Start early passive motion only in prone position to maintain
anterior tibia translation.

21
PCL Reconstruction

Surgical reconstruction
Indications
 Acute combined injuries
 Acute bony avulsion
 Symptomatic chronic PCL injuries that failed rehabilitation.
 There is no difference in clinical outcome between single and
double bundle PCL reconstruction.

Complications
Immediate
Neurovascular injury popliteal vessels
Infection
Technical error → tunnel placement, graft tensioning, insecure fixation
Delayed
Loss of motion
Avascular necrosis (medial femoral condyle)
Recurrent or persistent laxity (common) when a combined injury is not
adequately addressed

Posterolateral Complex
Components:
– Biceps, ITB, Popliteus,
Popliteofibular ligament, arcuate
ligament, LCL
Function
– Resists External and Varus rotation
Mechanism of Injury
– Direct blow to anteromedial tibia
– Hyperextension/varus
24
arcuate

The Posterolateral Corner
The LCL is a cord like structure 5-7 cm in length
Is the primary static restraint to varus opening of the knee
Secondary restraint to posterolateral rotation
The popliteus is a static and dynamic external rotation stabiliser.
The popletiofibular ligament acts as
a primary restraint to external rotation of
the tibia on the femur at 30º of flexion
25

The Posterolateral Corner
(PLC)
They are the primary stabilisers of external tibial rotation at
all knee flexion angles and the secondary restraints to
anterior and posterior translation
Isolated PLC sectioning produce a maximal average increase of
13° of ER at 30° of knee flexion and only an average increase of
5.3° at 90°.
Isolated PCL sectioning has no effect on external tibial rotation
Combined injury to the PCL and PLC leads to ER of 20.9° at
90° of knee flexion
26

28
Fib
Pop
Extension
The popliteus tendon inserted
10 mm distal
5 mm posterior to the lateral epicondyle
The LCL inserted
1-2 mm proximal
4-5 mm posterior to the lateral epicondyle

29
Fibula head

30
Popliteofibular LIG

LCL Examination
Opening @ 30º only
– Isolated LCL Injury
Opening @ 0º
– Injury to Posterolateral Capsule (+ Dial)
– Usually with ACL +/or PCL injury
Palpate LCL in Figure 4 Position
31

Imaging
Plain Films
– Check for Biceps/LCL Avulsion fracture
MRI
– Can be helpful
32

Injury--Treatment
Partial
– Grade I & II Instability with a good end
point
– Nonsurgical Treatment
– 3 week immobilization in extension
Complete Acute
– Primary repair best
– Augment with allo/auto graft
Complete Chronic
– Reconstruct Popliteus and LCL
33

Injury
Physical Examination
– Dial Test
• Increased External
rotation (30o, 90o)
– Posterolateral external
rotation test
– External rotation
recurvatum
34

Injury--Treatment
Partial
– Grade I & II Instability with a good end point
– Nonsurgical Treatment
– 3 week immobilization in extension
Complete Acute
– Primary repair best
– Augment with allo/auto graft
Complete Chronic
– Reconstruct Popliteus and LCL
35

PLC Reconstruction
The reconstruction can be fibula based such as
modified Larson’s technique or combined tibia and
fibula based such as LaPrade’s anatomical
reconstruction.
36

The principles of surgery
Early repair (within 3 weeks) of torn and detached ligaments,
tendons and capsule in acute injuries. A combination of early
repair and reconstruction has been shown to provide better
results.
Late reconstruction of the two or three of the main stabilisers of
the posterolateral corner of the knee i.e. the lateral collateral
ligament, Popliteus tendon, and popliteofibular ligament in
chronic cases.
Combined ACL/PCL and PLC injury must be treated by
reconstruction of all injured ligaments.
37

Knee dislocation
Any triple-ligament knee injury constitutes a
frank dislocation. This is relatively rare but
a severe and potentially limb-threatening
injury.
High-energy injury such as RTA.
Sporting accident.
May be missed on initial assessment.
38

Vascular Injuries
Previously it was thought there was a 50%
incidence of vascular compromise Now 3.3-18%
20%–30% incidence of nerve injury.
Fracture incidence may be as high as 60%.
39

Classification
Classified on the basis on tibial displacement in respect to the femur
Closed or open
High or low energy
Dislocation or subluxation
Neurovascular involvement
Anterior (common: 30-50% of dislocations, associated with intimal tears)
Posterior; also medial, lateral (highest rate of peroneal nerve injury) and
rotatory (usually irreducible) or combined
 Hyperextension leads to anterior dislocation
 Dashboard injury leads to posterior dislocation
41

Examination
Valgus and varus laxity
Anteroposterior translation
Recurvatum
>10º hyperextension suggests ACL injury
>30º hyperextension indicates PCL injury
Rotation indicates MCL and LCL injury
42

Management
Surgical emergency
Deal with life-threatening injuries first
Circulation in A&E
Serial examination for 48 hours.
Ankle brachial Index (ABI)
ABI <0.9 is suggestive of significant arterial injury
Involve the vascular surgeon
Radiography before manipulation
– (assess direction and associated fracture)
Reduction as soon as possible in the emergency/operating Room
43

Management
Immobilization in an extension knee splint
Check radiograph to confirm congruity, if not,
consider external fixator
Conservative management out of favour
Early surgical reconstruction and/or repair, is
currently recommended by the Knee Dislocation
Study Group
44

Management
Surgery as soon as the vascular surgeon allows
Most ACL/PCL/MCL can be treated with bracing the MCL followed by
combined ACL/PCL reconstruction once range of movement is
restarted, usually after 6 weeks.
ACL/PCL/posterolateral corner can be treated by repairing the
posterolateral corner acutely (within three weeks) and delayed ACL/PCL
reconstruction 8 weeks later.
Open dislocation, fracture dislocation and vascular compromise require
staged procedures.
45

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PCL, PLC, Knee Dislocation

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