Femoral avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament in association with a rupture of the popliteal artery in a 9-year-old boy: a case report

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes After Management of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fractures

Background

There is no consensus regarding the management of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures and the expected outcomes after treatment.

Purpose

To systematically review clinical outcomes and complications after management of tibial-sided avulsion fractures of the PCL.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A literature search of Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials was performed in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included were studies with evidence levels 1 to 4 that reported clinical outcomes after treatment of PCL tibial-sided avulsion fractures in humans. The quality of the included studies was performed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. A meta-analysis was performed for patient-reported outcome measures using random-effects modeling with 95% CIs.

Results

A total of 58 studies published between 1999 and 2022 were identified. The mean MINORS score was 9.90 ± 4.12, indicating overall low-quality evidence with high risk of bias. The studies comprised 1440 patients (mean age, 32.59 ± 5.69 years; 75.2% males) with a mean follow-up of 26.9 ± 19.6 months (range, 5.3-126 months). Most patients were treated with open surgery (63.6%), followed by arthroscopic surgery (29.7%) and nonoperative treatment (6.7%). All patients reported significant posttreatment improvement in both subjective and objective outcomes (P < .05 for all). Arthroscopic surgery was associated with lower postoperative posterior tibial translation compared with open surgery (range, 0.6-3.2 vs 1.7-3.1 mm), greater preoperative to postoperative improvement in Lysholm score (54.6 vs 48.8; P < .0001), higher postoperative Tegner score (6.64 ± 1.03 vs 6.14 ± 2.29; P = .0448), and a higher rate of return to sport (100% vs 89.5%; P = .009). Nonoperative management was associated with a significantly lower fracture union rate (87% vs 99.1%; P < .0001) and greater postoperative side-to-side posterior translation (4.9 ± 4.3 mm) when compared with operative management.

Conclusion

Although nonoperative and surgical management of PCL tibial avulsion fractures resulted in high rates of fracture union and improvement in functional outcome scores and a low incidence of complications, nonoperative treatment yielded a high side-to-side posterior displacement (>4 mm) with a lower rate of fracture union compared to surgical treatment.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Femoral Avulsion Fractures in Pediatric Patients: A Report of 2 Interesting Surgical Cases

CASE

This report describes 2 cases of femoral-sided posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion injuries. A 10-year-old male patient presented with a chronic nonunion of a bony PCL femoral avulsion. In addition, a 4-year-old boy presented with an acute, displaced PCL femoral avulsion off the medial femoral condyle. Both injuries were repaired using arthroscopic techniques.

CONCLUSION

Femoral-sided PCL avulsions are very rare in pediatric patients and have not been reported often. We hope to increase the awareness of PCL femoral avulsion injuries in pediatric patients by describing 2 unique cases.

Treatment of avulsion fracture of posterior cruciate ligament tibial insertion by minimally invasive approach in posterior medial knee

Objective

The study aims to explore the feasibility and clinical effect of posterior minimally invasive treatment of cruciate ligament tibial avulsion fracture.

Methods

Posterior knee minimally invasive approach was used to treat avulsion fracture of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibia in 15 males and 11 females. The length of the incision, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, residual relaxation, and fracture healing time were analyzed to evaluate the curative effect, learning curve, and advantages of the new technology. Neurovascular complications were recorded. During the postoperative follow-up, the International Knee Joint Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm knee joint score, and knee joint range of motion were recorded to evaluate the function.

Results

All 26 patients were followed up for 18-24 months, with an average of 24.42 ± 5.00 months. The incision length was 3-6 cm, with an average of 4.04 ± 0.82 cm. The intraoperative blood loss was about 45-60 ml, with an average of 48.85 ± 5.88 ml. The operation time was 39-64 min, with an average of 52.46 ± 7.64 min. The postoperative hospital stay was 2-5 days, with an average of 2.73 ± 0.87 days. All incisions healed grade I without neurovascular injury. All fractures healed well with an average healing time of 9.46 ± 1.33 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). The Lysholm score of the affected knee was 89-98 (mean, 94.12 ± 2.49) at 12-month follow-up. The IKDC score was 87-95 with an average of 91.85 ± 2.19, and the knee range of motion was 129-148° with an average of 137.08 ± 5.59°. The residual relaxation was 1-3 mm, with an average of 1.46 ± 0.65 mm.

Conclusion

This minimally invasive method provides sufficient exposure for internal fixation of PCL tibial avulsion fractures without the surgical complications associated with traditional open surgical methods. The process is safe, less invasive, and does not require a long learning curve.

Misdiagnosed cartilaginous PCL avulsion in young children

Posterior Cruciate Ligaments injuries are rare in children and usually due to bony avulsion fractures or midsubstance tears. This study focused on cartilaginous avulsions initially misdiagnosed despite of MRI assessment. Two 6-year-old boys had cartilaginous avulsion fracture injury at the femoral attachment of the PCL. One had associated medial meniscal lesion and was reinserted. The other conducted to non-union. MRI second lecture reveals an original description with nail-biting sign on cartilage surface of anterior notch, and a close PCL angle without anterior tibial translation. No bone bruise was associated. Similarly, to ACL cartilaginous tibial avulsions, PCL cartilaginous femoral avulsions are underdiagnosed. When knee hemarthrosis occurs under the age of nine, clinician and radiologist should be aware that cartilaginous avulsion of ACL and PCL also could be the main pattern of lesion.

Outcomes of Pediatric Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

Background

Little has been reported in the literature regarding surgical treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in pediatric patients.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose was to evaluate presentation, injury pattern, outcomes, and complications of surgically managed PCL injuries in pediatric patients. It was hypothesized that pediatric patients would have good patient-reported outcomes and no significant radiographic changes or complications.

Study Design

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases between 1975 and December 16, 2019. Search terms included "posterior cruciate ligament," "peel-off injury," "avulsion," "PCL," "pediatric," "skeletally immature," and "adolescent." Included were studies on pediatric patients with PCL injuries managed operatively. Exclusion criteria included case reports, studies not reporting clinical results, reviews, abstract or conference papers, or papers not in the English language. Quality assessment was performed on all included studies using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) criteria.

Results

Four articles comprising 43 knees in 42 patients met the criteria and were included. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (39.5%; n = 17/43), followed by sports-related injuries (35%; n = 15/43). All studies commented on tear pattern, with the following distribution: 42% (n = 18/43) midsubstance tears, 37% (n = 16/43) tibial avulsions, and 21% (n = 9/43) femoral avulsions. Overall, good patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner, and Lysholm scores) and return to activity, as well as satisfactory posterior stability (KT-1000 arthrometer, posterior drawer test, and kneeling radiographs) and range of motion, were reported. There was no significant leg-length discrepancy or angular deformity reported. Arthrofibrosis was reported in 7% of postoperative knees and was the most commonly reported complication. Osteoarthritis was reported in 21% (n = 9/43) of knees. The average MINORS score was 7 (range, 6-8) for noncomparative studies and 10 for comparative studies.

Conclusion

Good patient-reported outcomes and return to activity can be obtained using repair or reconstruction. This evidence was limited by the quality of the included studies and overall small sample size; however, this review serves as a baseline for futures studies on PCL repair/reconstruction in pediatric patients.

IS THE "U-SIGN" RADIOLOGIC FEATURE OF A POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TIBIAL AVULSION FRACTURE?

Objective:

By analyzing our cases of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial avulsion fracture, we noted that a U-shaped image was present in the anteroposterior plain radiographs view of the affected knee, even in cases where the profile view of the knee had been inconclusive as to tibial PCL avulsion fracture, a “hidden” fracture. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether there was an anatomical correlation between this radiological U sign and the tibial insertion of the PCL and to ascertain the intra- and inter-rater reliability of this sign in clinical practice.

Methods:

The data of the widths and heights area of the PCL tibial insertion area, and the U sign area were measured and compared to the largest width of the tibia. Two moreover, the reliability and reproducibility of this imaging were analyzed.

Results:

The areas height of the U-sign area and the anatomical insertion area of the posterior cruciate ligament showed no difference, and both were topographically located in the two central quarters of the proximal end of the tibia. The radiographic assessment showed excellent Kappa agreement rates between interobserver and intraobserver, with high reliability and reproducibility.

Conclusion:

The U sign is a radiographic feature of PCL tibial avulsion fracture seen on the radiograph AP view, there is a high association between the ratios of the U-sign area height in the X-ray and the anatomical height of the PCL tibial insertion site MRI with the largest width of the proximal tibia. The radiographic U sign showed excellent rates of interobserver and intraobserver agreement with Kappa values higher than 0.8. Level of Evidence IV; Dignostic Studies - Investigating a Diagnostic Test.

Isolated Partial Femoral Avulsion Fracture of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in Adults

Objective

To investigate the manifestation, mechanisms, and treatment of isolated partial femoral avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in adults.

Methods

From January 2011 to December 2018, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of three patients with isolated partial femoral avulsion fractures of the PCL who were admitted to our institution. All of these patients were admitted to our emergency department within 24 h after injury. After physical examination and radiographs were taken and reviewed, all patients were admitted and underwent surgical treatment. In a 26‐year‐old man who underwent arthroscopic surgery through the traditional medial and lateral approach before finally converting to open surgery with the posterior approach, the fragment that was finally removed was partially attached to the PCL. In the other two patients, women aged 63 and 68 years, who underwent arthroscopic surgery via the traditional medial and lateral approach, the fragments were large and attached to most fibers of the PCL. We fixed the fragments using hollow screws in arthroscopic view. In addition, in the 63‐year‐old patient, an anchor was embedded to restore the tension of the PCL. Four weeks after surgery, the patients started to wear long leg braces in full extension with the tibia blocked up by cushion. Physical examinations were conducted and radiographs were taken preoperatively and at 4 weeks and 3 months after surgery to evaluate the condition of the injury. The range of motion and the Lysholm knee scoring scale for the knee joint were compared before and after the surgery.

Results

For the three patients, the radiographs taken at 3 months postoperatively showed that the fixation of the screws did not fail, and the subchondral bone was generally normal compared to the preoperative radiographs. CT scanning at 3 months after surgery showed that the fracture healed in the original position of the avulsion site. For all patients, the affected knees presented as stable at physical examination 3 months after surgery; the Lachmann test and the anterior drawer test results were negative. In addition, the flexion–extension, internal rotation, and external rotation were approximately 0°–130°, 0°–30°, and 0°–40° in the 26‐year‐old patient, respectively. The flexion–extension, internal rotation, and external rotation were approximately 0°–100°, 0°–20°, and 0°–35° for the 63‐year‐old patient, respectively. The flexion–extension, internal rotation, and external rotation were approximately 0°–100°, 0°–15°, and 0°–20° for the 68‐year‐old patient, respectively. There was no pain or only little pain 3 months after surgery. There was no swelling or discomfort at the 3‐month follow up. The Lysholm knee scores of the 68‐year‐old, 63‐year‐old, and 26‐year‐old patient were 80, 87, and 95 at 3 months after surgery, respectively, which were obviously improved postoperatively.

Conclusion

The manifestation of isolated partial femoral avulsion fractures of the PCL in adults is often related to the injury mechanism, and surgery is essential for the treatment of these patients. Most of these fractures can be repaired by arthroscopic surgery, but some have to be treated by open surgery.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoral Avulsion Fracture of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in Association with Meniscus Tear

BACKGROUND

Femoral avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in association with meniscus tear is extremely rare in children, and similar cases are not available in the existing literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this paper, we present a case of a 9-year-old boy treated by an arthroscopic repair technique using two transfemoral tunnels sparing the epiphyseal plate for 8-shaped suture fixation of femoral avulsion fracture of the PCL and using the Fastfix repair system for a meniscus tear. At 3-month postoperative, the boy showed satisfactory recovery with a full range of motion of the right knee and normal muscular strength, and no complications were observed after operation. The patient had been followed up for 24 months and his final assessment demonstrated stable painless knee with excellent functional outcome. In view of this, we suggest that the "figure-of-eight" suture technique using two transfemoral tunnels sparing the epiphyseal plate can be considered a new choice for the treatment of the PCL femoral attachment avulsion, especially in skeletally immature patients. In addition, six similar cases were found in a comprehensive literature review targeting femoral avulsion fracture of the PCL. According to the relevant findings and cases studies, we proposed a new classification named "Xiangya" which might facilitate future clinical decision making.

Popliteal artery transection associated with a minimally displaced tibial plateau fracture: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Poplital artery transection injury is potentially catastrophic, or even life-threatening. Severe traumas, including open fracture, gunshot, stabs, and knee dislocation and complex fracture of proximal tibia or distal femur, are the common causes of high rate of amputation due to popliteal artery trauma. No report mentions vascular injury associated with minimally displaced tibial plateau fracture in adult.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 30-year-old male presented with popliteal artery transection injury associated with minimally displaced tibial plateau fracture. He presented to emergency department, 6 h after fall from ground into a 1-m height hole. Physical examination suggested acute ischemia, with signs of paleness, coldness, anesthesia, hemorrhagic bullae below the right knee level. There was severe swelling and ecchymosis in popliteal fossa and around the leg with significant calf tenderness and pedal edema. Tibialis posterior, dorsalis pedis, and popliteal arterial pulses were not palpable. Radiograph suggested minimally displaced tibial plateau fracture with no evidence of knee dislocation. The patient was taken up for emergency surgery after consultation with vascular surgeon. During the closed reduction external fixation and compartment decompression, popliteal artery trunk was found transected and end-to-end repair was performed. During the post-operational period, no complication was developed and the patient was followed-up for 1 year. At the one-year follow-up, he acquired good stability of his right knee with full range of motion.

CONCLUSION

Significant swelling and ecchymosis should alert the surgeons to the possibility of vascular injury in knee joint injury, even if there is no fracture or dislocation, or fracture is minimally displaced.

Arthroscopic Fixation of Osteochondral Avulsion Fracture of the Femoral Attachment of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in an 82-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report

Femoral avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is less common compared to the tibial side. Especially, femoral avulsion in an elderly patient is an extremely rare condition. Until now, there is no report that describes its treatment and clinical outcome in elderly patients. We demonstrate an 82-year-old female who presented with osteochondral avulsion fracture of the femoral attachment of the PCL. The osteochondral fragment was fixed with an arthroscopic transfemoral suture technique. After treatment, the pain was improved and the patient achieved previous daily activity within 6 weeks. After 6 months, plain X-ray and computed tomography scans demonstrated consolidation of osteochondral fragment. The Lysholm score was 78 points at final office visit. This simple and less invasive approach is useful for pain relief and earlier return to daily activity in an elderly patient with osteoporosis.

Paediatric physeal sparing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with parental donation allograft: Rationale and operative approach

BACKGROUND

Paediatric PCL injuries are rare but constitute a significant management challenge. We describe a novel approach to the surgical management of an 11-year-old boy who presented with persisting symptomatic instability following 18months of failed conservative therapy.

METHODS

PCL reconstruction was performed using a physeal sparing, all-inside technique under fluoroscopic control. This avoids the potential for iatrogenic growth injury. A parentally donated hamstrings allograft was used to ensure adequate graft size, and reinforced using a non-elastic two millimetre braided suture. Graft reinforcement safeguards against stretching during the early healing phase, but must be removed thereafter to avoid creating a physeal tether.

RESULTS

At three months, clinical examination under anaesthesia showed equivalent PCL laxity in the operated knee compared to the normal contralateral knee. The graft reinforcement tape was incised as planned with no change in laxity assessment. Arthroscopic evaluation demonstrated a quiet joint with a well healed graft and no synovitis. Postoperative long leg radiographs showed no growth deformity against preoperative status.

CONCLUSION

In paediatric patients with persisting symptomatic instability despite appropriate conservative management, surgical reconstruction of the PCL should be considered. Standard treatment has higher complication rates and poorer graft survival than in an adult cohort. Specific problems include iatrogenic growth plate injury causing growth arrest or angular deformity, inadequate graft size if using hamstrings autograft, and the additional technical challenge of small patient size. Early results from extra-physeal, all-inside PCL reconstruction using a parentally donated allograft are promising and may provide an alternative solution to traditional surgical management.

Compound posterior cruciate ligament and popliteal artery injury due to dog bite: A case report

Injuries due to dog bites are a common occurrence and are mostly trivial. Severe dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization and complex reconstructive procedures are more common in children. We present the case of a five year old child with popliteal artery thrombosis and compound Posterior Cruciate ligament injury due to a dog bite. The child was managed by immediate thrombectomy, meticulous debridement and knee spanning external fixation followed by Skin Grafting. At one year post surgery range of motion was 10–110°, with no distal neurovascular deficit and no sign of instability.

Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletal immature children

PURPOSE

Rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a rare knee injury in children with open growth plates. The follow-up results of six patients with open physes treated with PCL reconstruction are presented. The objective is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of PCL reconstruction for six skeletally immature patients.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2010, six skeletally immature patients were treated with PCL reconstruction. At the time of surgery, the median age was 9 years (range 6-14). The median follow-up time after surgery was 50 months (range 41-90). Outcomes were evaluated by KOOS and Tegner scores, instrumented knee laxity, and radiologic long-axis leg length measurements.

RESULTS

The median KOOS score at follow-up was 88 (range 26-98). The median Tegner score was 6 (range 4-7). The median side-to-side difference in laxity according to KT-1000 was 2 mm (range 1-5) at 25° of flexion and 3 mm (range 3-6) at 70° of flexion. A median side-to-side difference in flexion of 8° was found. All but one patient had returned to playing sports at follow-up. One patient's index leg had a length discrepancy of 16 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

PCL reconstruction resulted in fair to good clinical outcomes for skeletally immature children. Clinically relevant leg length discrepancy was found in one of the six patients examined in this study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Insufficiency avulsion fracture of the femoral attachment of the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint

Multiple ligaments are involved in avulsion injuries of the knee joint, including both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments; however, avulsion injury of the posterior cruciate ligament is less frequently encountered than the anterior counterpart. Furthermore, avulsion of the femoral side of the posterior cruciate ligament is far less common than the tibial one.Femoral attachment avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligaments has been reported in literature in adolescents, rarely in adulthood, and never before in elderly patients, showing an inverse relationship with advancement in patient age. The case presented here shows femoral attachment avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament in an elderly patient with secondary osteoporosis.

Pediatric Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture of the Tibial Insertion: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background  Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture of the tibial insertion is a very rare injury in children. In addition to performing an attentive clinical examination, radiologic studies are fundamental for its correct diagnosis and treatment. Its management may be either conservative or operative. So far, only a few cases treated conservatively have been reported in the pediatric population, with controversial results.

Methods  We prospectively collected and reviewed clinical and radiographic data of an 11-year-old boy with avulsion fracture of the tibial insertion of the PCL. In addition, we performed a systematic review of the literature available to date.

Results  We decided to treat the avulsion fracture in a conservative way. The patient has been followed with accurate clinical and radiological follow-up controls until complete recovery.

Conclusion  Posterior cruciate avulsion fracture is a very rare finding in children, and no definitive indications for its appropriate management exist. With this report, we demonstrate that these fractures can be treated conservatively in selected cases with good results, avoiding potential surgical-related complications.

Study Design  This is a case report (level of evidence V).

Delayed surgical treatment for tibial avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament in children

Avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) at the tibial insertion site are extremely rare in children. Because the avulsed osteochondral fragments can be poorly seen on plain radiographs, correct diagnosis is often delayed. Delayed diagnosis of PCL avulsion fracture can lead to difficulties in treatment due to secondary changes in the osteochondral fragment and ligament substance. Three cases of tibial avulsion fractures of the PCL in children surgically treated in a single medical centre are reported in the present study. Level of evidence V.

Posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture in children: a case report with long-term follow-up and comprehensive literature review

Isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture from the tibial attachment in children is extremely rare. The initial diagnosis is often missed in clinical practice. The present report describes the outcome in a long-term follow-up case of an 11-year-old boy involved in a motorcycle accident. The lesion was fixed through an open posterior approach with anatomic reduction. The patient has been followed for 4 years, and his final assessment revealed stable painless knee with an excellent functional outcome. The procedure is described and a surgical video outlines the pre-operative clinical examination. The particularity of this case is the long-term follow-up and the excellent outcome. We reviewed similarly reported cases in the literature and the different methods used in current practice.

Case report: Osteochondral avulsion fracture of the posteromedial bundle of the PCL in knee hyperflexion

BACKGROUND

Injury of the PCL of the knee in adults usually results in rupture rather than avulsion fracture and avulsions usually occur at the tibial insertion.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report an avulsion of the PCL with a femoral origin in a 22-year-old man who was injured by hyperflexion of the knee and was treated with arthroscopy. There were two parts in the partial osteochondral avulsion fracture of the PCL posteromedial (PM) bundle. One part was fixed with polydioxanone suture through drill holes and the other was removed. The fracture healed after 3 months and the knee was stable. At 11 months postoperatively the patient had returned to full-time work without pain or restrictions. The Lysholm II knee score was 95 points. Physical examination showed a negative posterior drawer sign.

LITERATURE REVIEW

We identified four other reported cases of PCL femoral origin avulsion fractures in adults. The subjects were 20 to 25 years old in four of five reports, including our patient. Three of the five patients had involvement of only the lateral cortex of the medial femoral condyle whereas two other patients including our patient, had an osteochondral fracture. The mechanism of PCL avulsion seems to be similar to that of a PCL rupture.

PURPOSES AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The hyperflexion injury may result in injury of the PM bundle of the PCL. Our case and one other in the literature suggest such avulsions need not involve the entire PCL.

PCL tibial avulsion with an associated medial meniscal tear in a child: a case report on diagnosis and management

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries from tibial avulsions are rare in the paediatric setting. One would need a high index of suspicion as clinical examination may be difficult, especially in the early period. Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent diagnostic modality for this condition and other associated injuries within the knee. We report a rare case in which the patient had a PCL avulsion off the tibial insertion site with an associated posterior horn medial meniscal tear off the posterior capsule. He was treated through open reduction and internal fixation of the avulsed fragment with suture repair of the meniscal tear. We emphasize the importance of diagnosing and managing associated intra-articular injuries when dealing with the rare condition of PCL tibial avulsion in the paediatric setting.

Paediatric intrasubstance posterior cruciate ligament rupture

The authors present the case of a 4-year-old boy who sustained an intrasubstance posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear whist trampolining. He was managed non-operatively with return to full function by 8 months. A high index of suspicion is required when assessing paediatric hyperflexion/extension injuries at the knee as ligamentous injury may occur without osteochondral fracture and may be missed on routine radiographs. Early MRI can identify such injuries in addition to osteochondral avulsions which are often amenable to acute internal fixation. In the case of paediatric intrasubstance PCL tears, it appears that non-operative management yields a good functional outcome in the short term in the skeletally immature.

Arthroscopic treatment of a PCL avulsion fracture in a skeletally immature patient

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsions from the tibial attachment site in children are rare. Six cases have been reported in the English literature since 1975. Osteochondral avulsions of the PCL can be easily missed on plain radiographs in skeletally immature patients because of the rarity of these injuries and open proximal tibial physis. To properly recognize and treat the condition, careful physical examination and adequate imaging studies are crucial. Few case reports demonstrate successful surgical treatment of the injury using screw fixation. This article presents a case of a 13-year-old girl with tibial avulsion of the PCL treated by arthroscopic reduction and pull-out suture, sparing the epiphyseal plate using a posterior transseptal portal. The proximal substance of the avulsed PCL was grasped with a suture hook introduced from posterolateral to posteromedial rather than through the small, fragmented bony portion. The suture material was passed and retrieved through the bony tunnel from posterior to anterior above the epiphyseal plate. Although it has not been proven yet in terms of biomechanical benefit, we believe this alternative treatment to PCL avulsion injuries in skeletally immature patients will provide sufficient strength to maintain ligament tension during the healing process and avoid physeal injury.

Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a skeletally immature patient: a new technique with case report

Pediatric intrasubstance posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries are rare but present a significant treatment challenge. Untreated instability may lead to further knee injury, including meniscal or chondral damage. Surgical intervention risks damage to the physis, growth arrest, and angular deformity. We present the case of a skeletally immature 11-year-old boy with a high-grade intrasubstance PCL injury reconstructed using an all-arthroscopic tibial inlay technique modified to minimize risk of physeal injury. The femoral tunnels were placed entirely within the epiphysis, and the tibial physis was minimally crossed with a small drill hole and suture material. At 17 months' follow up, the patient had returned to full activity, including sports. He had a grade 1 posterior drawer and no posterior sag. Radiographs showed no degenerative changes. Both the proximal tibial and distal femoral physes were widely patent with no angular deformity. The patient had a 1-cm leg length discrepancy, with the operative limb being longer. This technical note with a case report describes a novel physeal-sparing reconstruction of the PCL in a pediatric patient with open physes.

[Avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament in a child: surgical treatment. a case report]

Avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is a less frequent injury in children than in adults. Directed by a meticulous clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging confirms the diagnosis. Surgical treatment provides good functional results in the majority of cases. We report a case of avulsion fracture of the PCL treated with a standard Twinfix surgical anchor.

Mid-substance tear of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in children: a report of three patients

We report one case of mid-substance injury of the posterior cruciate ligament and two cases of mid-substance injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament in children. Surgical repair with augmentation using the iliotibial band was performed on these patients without the use of transphyseal drill holes. A small strip of the iliotibial band was sutured onto the end of the cruciate ligament stump to augment the remnant. At the most recent follow-up examinations, conducted 5-11 years after surgery, no restriction or discomfort in daily and sport activities was reported, and acceptable levels of function in the injured knees were noted in all patients.

Case reports: pediatric PCL insufficiency from tibial insertion osteochondral avulsions

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) insertion-site osteochondral avulsions in children, particularly from the tibia, are not commonly seen by orthopaedic surgeons. Because of the rarity of these injuries, careful attention to the specific physical examination and imaging findings seen with these injuries is necessary so that the proper diagnosis can be made. Osteochondral avulsions of the PCL can be missed on plain radiographs in skeletally immature patients, and therefore magnetic resonance imaging is necessary for proper diagnosis. With this knowledge, clinicians can formulate treatment plans which can return their patients to activities while avoiding potential morbidity resulting from missed diagnoses or improper treatment. We report two rare cases of PCL insufficiency stemming from tibial insertion osteochondral avulsions. Both patients underwent subsequent open reduction and internal fixation of the avulsion using two different fixation methods (bioabsorbable anchors versus cannulated screw and washer) and have returned to full sporting activities.

Advanced MR imaging of the cruciate ligaments

The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are crucial stabilizers of the knee. These ligaments are named by the location of their tibial attachments. Each ligament is composed of separate functional bundles that differ in size but are equally important in function. MR imaging is accurate and sensitive, making it the imaging technique of choice for evaluating these ligaments. Acute and chronic injuries involving the cruciate ligaments have typical appearances and associated findings. MR imaging interpretation must take into account atypical injuries and imaging pitfalls. Knowledge of normal ligament reconstruction techniques allows differentiation of the normal postoperative appearance from reconstruction failure and complications. Ligament reconstruction techniques, complications, and appearances are reviewed in this article.

Lateral epicondylar femoral avulsion fracture combined with tibial fracture: a counterpart to the arcuate sign

We present a case of femoral avulsion of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) with complete tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and popliteus tendon accompanied by demonstrable posterolateral rotary instability (PLRI) of the knee. A 55-year-old man was involved in a road traffic accident. Radiographs revealed an avulsion fracture of the lateral epicondyle of the femur and a fracture of the tibial shaft. An MRI scan showed the lateral epicondyle was avulsed by the LCL and the popliteus tendon. The PCL signal was absent. The tibial shaft fracture was fixed with an intra medullary nail. Sagging of the tibia, with loss of prominence of tibial tuberosity and a positive posterior drawer test, demonstrated a complete tear of the PCL. The avulsion fracture of the lateral epicondyle was treated by an open reduction and internal fixation with two staples. A ligament can be avulsed at either end, and to our knowledge, this pattern of injury as a counterpart to arcuate sign has never been documented in the literature. It is important not to dismiss a small avulsion fracture around the knee joint as insignificant, as it could indicate the presence of a major ligamentous injury.

Advanced MR Imaging of the Cruciate Ligaments

The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are crucial stabilizers of the knee. These ligaments are named by the location of their tibial attachments. Each ligament is composed of separate functional bundles that differ in size but are equally important in function. MR imaging is accurate and sensitive, making it the imaging technique of choice for evaluating these ligaments. Acute and chronic injuries involving the cruciate ligaments have typical appearances and associated findings. MR imaging interpretation must take into account atypical injuries and imaging pitfalls. Knowledge of normal ligament reconstruction techniques allows differentiation of the normal postoperative appearance from reconstruction failure and complications. Ligament reconstruction techniques, complications, and appearances are reviewed in this article.