Arthroscopic All-Inside Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Overcoming the “Killer Turn”

Abstract

One of the most challenging arthroscopic surgical procedures is posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. PCL injuries account for 20% of all knee ligament–related injuries. These may be isolated or occur as part of poly-ligament injuries. With the possibility of PCL reconstruction with the all-inside technique, there has been a surge in interest in treating PCL injuries. With the PCL being one of the strongest ligaments in the body and a primary restraint to posterior translation of the tibia, the need for PCL reconstruction is being more and more recognized. Surgeons often find it difficult to negotiate the so-called killer turn while attempting arthroscopic PCL reconstruction. We describe the use of the GraftLink graft construct through the posteromedial portal in 7 patients (6 male and 1 female patient) with isolated PCL injuries, which we believe not only allows us to perform the all-inside PCL reconstruction but also does away with the difficulty of the killer turn encountered while performing the arthroscopic PCL reconstruction.