REVIEW ARTICLE

 

Anatomy of the posterior cruciate ligament

 

 

JJ Marais

MBChB, MMed(Orth)(Stel); Durbanville Medi-Clinic

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The indication for surgery in isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture remains unclear. Although conservative treatment seems to be compatible with good functional outcome in the short and medium term, surgery seems to improve the subjective outcome in symptomatic patients.¹
Because as a principle 'form follows function' understanding the anatomy is both important in clinical examination and the subsequent decision to treat the PCL rupture conservatively or surgically. For the purpose of this paper I did a literature review as well as a fresh cadaveric dissection in order to search for the relevant biomechanical and anatomical factors of importance when embarking on surgical reconstruction. I hope that it will help surgeons to simplify the surgical anatomy. Better knowledge of the anatomy will improve the quality of reconstruction as in the case of anterior cruciate ligament repairs.

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Correspondence:
Dr JJ Marais
Durbanville Medi-Clinic
PO Box 3484
7551 Durbanville
Tel: (021) 975-2686; Fax: (021) 975-2688
Email: kmarais@kingsley.co.za

 

 

No benefits of any form have been derived from any commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.