A Triple-Strand Anatomic Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Restores Knee Stability More Completely Than a Double-Strand Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Study In Vitro.

BACKGROUND

There are many descriptions of medial collateral ligament (MCL) reconstruction, but they may not reproduce the anatomic structures and there is little evidence of their biomechanical performance.

PURPOSE

To investigate the ability of "anatomic" MCL reconstruction to restore native stability after grade III MCL plus posteromedial capsule/posterior oblique ligament injuries in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

METHODS

Twelve cadaveric knees were mounted in a kinematic testing rig to impose tibial displacing loads while the knee was flexed-extended: 88-N anteroposterior translation, 5-N·m internal-external rotation, 8-N·m valgus-varus, and combined anterior translation plus external rotation (anteromedial rotatory instability). Joint motion was measured via optical trackers with the knee intact; after superficial MCL (sMCL), deep MCL (dMCL), and posterior oblique ligament transection; and then after MCL double- and triple-strand reconstructions. Double strands reproduced the sMCL and posterior oblique ligament and triple-strands the sMCL, dMCL, and posterior oblique ligament. The sMCL was placed 5 mm posterior to the epicondyle in the double-strand technique and at the epicondyle in the triple-strand technique. Kinematic changes were examined by repeated measures 2-way analysis of variance with posttesting.

RESULTS

Transection of the sMCL, dMCL, and posterior oblique ligament increased valgus rotation (5° mean) and external rotation (9° mean). The double-strand reconstruction controlled valgus in extension but allowed 5° excess valgus in flexion and did not restore external rotation (7° excess). The triple-strand reconstruction restored both external rotation and valgus throughout flexion.

CONCLUSION

In a cadaveric model, a triple-strand reconstruction including a dMCL graft restored native external rotation, while a double-strand reconstruction without a dMCL graft did not. A reconstruction with the sMCL graft placed isometrically on the medial epicondyle restored valgus rotation across the arc of knee flexion, whereas a reconstruction with a more posteriorly placed sMCL graft slackened with knee flexion.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

An MCL injury may rupture the anteromedial capsule and dMCL, causing anteromedial rotatory instability. Persistent MCL instability increases the likelihood of ACL graft failure after combined injury. A reconstruction with an anteromedial dMCL graft restored native external rotation, which may help to unload/protect an ACL graft. It is important to locate the sMCL graft isometrically at the femoral epicondyle to restore valgus across flexion.