Progress in prevention and treatment of knee laxity after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction_Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery

Authors：

RUAN Zhaohui , SHI Zhengliang , YUAN Ping , YANG Xianguang ,  LI Yanlin

Department of Sports Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Yunnan, 650032, P. R. China;

Corresponding author：

LI Yanlin, Email: liyanlin@kmmu.edu.cn

Keywords：

Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; knee laxity; biomechanics; postoperative rehabilitation

DOI：

10.7507/1002-1892.202505021

Video：

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Objective To summarize the research progress on knee laxity of biomechanics and prevention and treatment after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. Methods The domestic and international literature on the prevention and treatment of knee laxity after PCL reconstruction in recent years was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results Different degrees of knee laxity often occur after PCL reconstruction, which can lead to poor prognosis in patients. The causes are associated with a variety of factors, including abnormal graft remodeling (such as differences in healing time and biomechanics among different types of grafts), tunnel position deviation (such as graft wear caused by the “killer turn” effect), and mechanical factors in postoperative rehabilitation (such as improper early weight-bearing and range of motion). These factors may promote graft elongation, increase early posterior tibial translation, and thereby induce knee laxity. Conclusion While PCL reconstruction improves knee stability, it is crucial to focus on and prevent postoperative knee laxity. However, current surgical methods are limited by factors such as graft characteristics, surgical technique flaws, and rehabilitation protocols, and thus can not fully correct the issue of abnormal postoperative laxity. Surgical techniques and treatment strategies still need further improvement and optimization to enhance patients’ postoperative outcomes and quality of life.

Citation： RUAN Zhaohui, SHI Zhengliang, YUAN Ping, YANG Xianguang, LI Yanlin. Progress in prevention and treatment of knee laxity after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2025, 39(10): 1333-1341. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202505021 Copy

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3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Ahn S, Lee YS, Song YD, et al. Does surgical reconstruction produce better stability than conservative treatment in the isolated PCL injuries? Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 2016, 136(6): 811-819.
8.
9. Loeb AE, Ithurburn MP, Kidwell-Chandler A, et al. Technique and outcomes of posterior cruciate ligament repair with augmentation. Orthop J Sports Med, 2024, 12(1): 23259671231213988. doi: 10.1177/23259671231213988.
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59.
60.
61.
62. Tachibana Y, Tanaka Y, Kinugasa K, et al. Tunnel enlargement correlates with postoperative posterior laxity after double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Orthop J Sports Med, 2021, 9(1): 2325967120977834. doi: 10.1177/2325967120977834.
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64.
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70. Jiang C, Peng H, Sun Y, et al. Comparison of a novel modified PLA/HA bioabsorbable interference screw with conventional PLGA/β-TCP screw: Effect on 1-year postoperative tibial tunnel widening in a canine ACLR model. Orthop J Sports Med, 2024, 12(10): 23259671241271710. doi: 10.1177/23259671241271710.
71.
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77.
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79.
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82. Paroneto AC, Gomes PS, Carrijo PV, et al. Outcomes after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with suture tape augmentation and an accelerated rehabilitation protocol: A retrospective cohort study. Orthop J Sports Med, 2025, 13(2): 23259671241308590. doi: 10.1177/23259671241308590.
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84.

Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery

Progress in prevention and treatment of knee laxity after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

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