Treatment of combined anterior cruciate ligament-posterior cruciate ligament-lateral side injuries of the knee

Abstract

ACL-PCL-posterolateral corner injuries most frequently are seen in multiple trauma patients but do occur in the athletic injury population. Acute three-ligament-injured knees may have been tibiofemoral dislocations with spontaneous reduction in the field. Careful documentation of the neurovascular status is essential in these cases to avoid the complications associated with limb ischemia. Systematic evaluation of these patients with history, physical examination, imaging studies, examination under anesthesia, and diagnostic arthroscopy will aid in the correct diagnosis and treatment plan formulation. Arthroscopically assisted, combined ACL-PCL-posterolateral complex reconstructions, using strong graft material, and performed in a timely fashion, have provided consistent and predictable results with few complications.