Abstract des Autors

The rupture of the posteiror cruciate ligament (PCL) is a very complicated injury of the basic stabilizer of the knee-joint. From 1980 to 1987 20 PCL-tears and 11 PCL-partial-tears were seen and treated surgically at our hospital. In most cases additional injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial compartment were seen. In a follow-up 22 patients were examined. In 12 of those patients operaiton has been done because of a fresh injury, in 10 patients because of a chronic posterior instability. Early surgical repair of PCL-tears showed excellent and good results regardless to severeness of accompaning injuries. In patients with secondary reconstruction results were distinctly worse. While more than 80% of patients with primary repair were able to resume sporting activities, half of the patients with chronic instability had to give up sports. Verf.-Referat