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J Knee Surg 2015; 28(06): 471-474
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558857
Special Focus Section
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Posterolateral Instability of the Knee

Elad Spitzer
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
John B. Doyle
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
,
Robert G. Marx
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 April 2015

26 May 2015

Publication Date:
12 August 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this review is to assess the outcomes of surgical treatment of posterolateral instability of the knee in an evidence-based manner. The majority of the existing outcomes literature on posterolateral instability consists of small, level IV case series and level III retrospective studies. Outcomes of surgical treatment of posterolateral instability of the knee are difficult to compare because of the heterogeneous presentation of posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries, the variability of their associated injuries, and their relative rarity. As such, three common types of surgical intervention for posterolateral instability are explored separately in this article, including acute repair, acute reconstruction, and chronic reconstruction. In general, the current literature supports early anatomic repair of all soft tissues and concomitant PLC reconstruction; however, because of the variability of posterolateral injury, surgical treatment options should be tailored to the patient, depending on the severity and chronicity of the posterolateral instability, as well as the associated injuries present.

Keywords

posterolateral instability - outcomes - outcome lateral knee
 

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