OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction under arthroscopy combined with limited open repair of medial collateral ligament (MCL) for the treatment of multiple ligament injuries of knee joints.

METHODSFrom March 2006 and June 2012,the data of 14 patients (14 knees) with multiple injuries of ACL, PCL, and MCL were collected. There were 8 males and 6 females with an average age of (31.8 +/- 8.1) years old (ranged, 20 to 49 years old). All the patients were performed with X-ray and MRI examination, and the results showed that 10 patients had combined with injuries of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL); 4 patients had ALC,PCL and posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries. Four patients had medial meniscus injuries and 2 patients had lateral meniscus injuries. The MCL,PLC and meniscus injuries were treated with operation on the first stage, and functional exercises were performed 3 weeks after fixation. The reconstruction operation of ACL and (or) PCL was performed at the second stage under arthroscopy 3 to 6 months later when the movement range of knee joint recovered to the normal level with obvious relaxation.

RESULTSAll incisions healed by primary intention. All the patients were followed up with a mean duration of 48.9 months (ranged, 24 to 80 months). The Lysholm score was improved from preoperative 19.6 +/- 0.9 to the latest follow-up 87.1 +/- 2.8 (t=12.3, P<0.01). The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) rating: 9 cases nearly recovered to normal, 5 cases were abnormal.

CONCLUSIONFor multiple ligament injuries in the knee, staged repair and reconstruction can effectively restore knee joint stability and function.