A technique of medial ligament repair of the knee with cancellous screws and spiked washers

Abstract

Twenty-five cases of proximal and distal tears and avulsions of the medial ligament of the knee were repaired under tension using cancellous screws and spiked washers with a mean follow-up period of 11.2 months. All knees were submitted to 15 Kp lateral stress in 20 degrees of flexion and radiographs in this position compared with those of the opposite knee. All patients were reassessed clinically and radiologically when stressed with the Telos apparatus. Radiographic instability was demonstrated in four cases. We conclude that cancellous screws and spiked washers, applied correctly, provide better fixation than other described methods and give a satisfactory repair of the torn ligament.