Clinical efficacy of arthroscopic single-bundle versus double-bundle reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament: a retrospective study

• Published in: International orthopaedics 2025, Vol.49 (1), p.93-100
• Main Authors: Chen, Tian-Xin, Yu, Mei-Qi, Dong, Ting-Ting, Li, Yan, Zhang, Sheng, Zhang, Lei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Paper; Orthopedics
• ISSN: 0341-2695; 1432-5195; 1432-5195
• DOI: 10.1007/s00264-024-06360-9

Purpose To compare the functional and clinical outcomes of knee joints in patients over a 10-year period following posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with single-bundle versus double-bundle. Methods Patients who underwent PCL reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the surgical approach, they were divided into the single-bundle reconstruction group and the double-bundle reconstruction group. Preoperative and postoperative Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKCD) score, and Tegner activity score were evaluated, and the stability of the joints was assessed using KT-2000 arthrometer. Radiographs were taken at the final follow-up to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis. Results A total of 61 patients were included in the analysis: 26 in the double-bundle group and 35 in the single-bundle group. Baseline data were comparable between the two groups ( P  > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in preoperative Lysholm, IKDC score, and Tegner activity score. Postoperatively, these scores were significantly higher at two and ten years follow-up ( P   0.05). There was no significant difference in side-to-side differences (SSD) at 30° and 90° of knee flexion preoperatively between the groups ( P  > 0.05). Postoperatively, SSD decreased significantly at the two year and ten year follow-up ( P   0.05). For osteoarthritis progression, there were four cases of Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ II in the single-bundle group and three cases in the double-bundle group, with no significant difference in the progression of osteoarthritis between the groups ( P  > 0.05). Conclusion Both single-bundle and double-bundle reconstructions for PCL result in good joint stability and mobility, with similar progression of osteoarthritis in long-term follow-up. Level of evidence Level III.