OBJECTIVETo explore the methods and outcomes of a minimally posteromedial transverse incision in the hip knee flexion for the treatment of tibial avulsion fracture at the insertion of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

METHODSTwenty-one patients with tibial avulsion fracture at the insertion of PCL treated with a minimally posteromedial transverse incision in the hip knee flexion by cannulated screw fixation from March 2010 to March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 8 females with an average age of 35.1 years old (ranged, 20 to 56 years). Eleven cases caused by traffic accident, 3 caused by falling, 4 caused by sport, 3 caused by heavy pounds. The injury duration ranged from 3 hours to 9 days with a mean of 3.5 days. The results of posterior drawer test were positive in all patients. Lysholm score was used to evaluated knee joint function.

RESULTSAll operations were successful without infection, vessel and nerve injuries and all incisions healed by first intention with the mean length of 5.8 cm (ranged, 5 to 6 cm). All patients were followed up from 7 to 23 months with an average of 12.7 months. The results of posterior drawer test were negative in all patients. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed. The Lysholm score was improved from preoperative 40.76±9.55 to 95.86±2.33 final follow-up (t=30.07, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of tibial avulsion fracture at the insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament through a minimally posteromedial transverse incision in the hip knee flexion with cannulated screw fixation is a better surgical procedure with the advantages of minimal incision, sufficient exposure, effective fixation, small scar and satisfactory effects.