Outcomes for surgical treatment of posterolateral instability of the knee.

Overview

Injuries to the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee can be associated with a variety of additional ligamentous and soft-tissue injuries. The clinical outcome of a PLC injury is dependent on associated injuries, the chronicity of injury, and the method of reconstruction. This chapter discusses the current literature regarding outcomes of surgical treatment of acute and chronic injuries. The majority of the current literature includes level IV case series evidence. Anatomic reconstruction of the PLC with concomitant treatment of associated knee ligament injuries in acute and chronic cases is the preferred treatment. There are mixed outcomes with acute repair of injured tissues as well as advancement procedures. The surgical treatment must be tailored to the specific needs of the patient and the ligament injury pattern.