OBJECTIVETo study operative effects for the treatment of multiple ligament injuries of knee joints.

METHODSFrom 2008 to 2013, 26 patients (17 males and 9 females) with multiple ligament injuries of knee joints were treated surgically. The average age was 40.7 years old, ranging from 29 to 55 years old. All the patients were treated with arthroscopic reconstruction of cruiate ligament with autogenous or allogeneic hamstrings and tendon, and at the same time received repair of medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, as well as the treatment of exterior and interior complex injuries. Nine patients received second stage operation after the initial operation for mistake or missed diagnosis, and other patients were treated at the first stage. The Lysholm scoring system was used to evaluate function and stability of knee joints before and after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for an average duration of 1.6 years (ranged, 0.8 to 3.2 years). The mean awaiting time for operation was 1.2 months. The Lysholm score was improved from preoperative 42.5 +/- 4.5 (ranged, 33 to 48) to the latest follow-up 78.1 +/- 3.9 (ranged, 57 to 95). The function of knee joint was improved obviously in the arthroscopic reconstruction patients, with joint range of motion exceeding 900 and with Varus & Valgus tests near to normal. All the patients had negative findings in the Lachman test at 70 degrees of flexion.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic reconstruction should be the first choice in treating multiple ligament injuries of knee joints. If the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries can't be treated simultaneously, the posterior cruciate ligament injuries should be treated preferentially at the first stage and the anterior cruciate ligament injuries should be treated at the second stage. The diagnosis of posterior cruciate ligament is easy to be missed.