Background: After the development and biomechanical validation of an anatomical fibular collateral ligament reconstruction using a semitendinosus graft, this technique has subsequently been applied clinically.
Hypothesis: An anatomical reconstruction of a grade III fibular collateral ligament tear using a semitendinosus graft restores the knee to near-normal lateral compartment stability and results in improved patient outcomes.
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods: A prospective study of 20 patients with an average age of 24 years (range, 16-45 years) who had an anatomical reconstruction of the fibular collateral ligament using a semitendinosus graft was performed. All patients were preoperatively and postoperatively evaluated with the modified Cincinnati and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scoring systems, with the IKDC objective subscores for lateral and posterolateral knee stability and with varus stress radiographs. The patients were followed for an average of 2 years.
Results: Sixteen patients were available for follow-up. Six of the patients had an isolated fibular collateral ligament reconstruction. The average preoperative modified Cincinnati score was 28.2, and the average IKDC subjective score was 34.7. Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement of both the modified Cincinnati score (to 88.5) and the IKDC subjective outcome score (to 88.1). The Cincinnati component symptom and functional subscores were also evaluated. The average preoperative symptom subscore was 9.1 and the functional subscore was 19.1. Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in both scores; symptom subscores improved to 43.0 and functional subscores improved to 45.5. Preoperative varus stress radiographs demonstrated an average differential of 3.9 mm (range, 2.5-6.2 mm) of lateral compartment gapping between the injured and noninjured knee. At an average of 2 years postoperatively, varus stress radiographs demonstrated an average side-to-side lateral compartment gap differential of –0.4 mm.
Conclusion: An anatomical fibular collateral ligament reconstruction using a semitendinosus graft results in improved patient outcomes and near-normal lateral compartment stability in patients with grade III injuries of the fibular collateral ligament.