Open Repair Versus Arthroscopic Repair of Tibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fractures: A Prospective Comparative Study
Avijit Sahoo, Sourav Ghosh, Sunny Kumar Mallick, Sunit Hazra, Sanjay Kumar, Sumanta Pal, Mainak Chandra, Debayan Sinha RoyAbstract
Background:
Tibial avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) require anatomical reduction and stable fixation to restore knee stability. Both open posterior approaches and arthroscopic techniques are widely used, but comparative evidence regarding union time, union rate and functional recovery between these two techniques remains limited.
Objectives:
This study aimed to compare union rate, time to union, knee stability, functional outcomes and complications between open repair and arthroscopic repair of tibial PCL avulsion fractures.
Materials and Methods:
A prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary care government hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, including 36 patients (18 open repair and 18 arthroscopic repair) with acute displaced PCL tibial avulsion fractures between September 2024 and February 2026. Functional outcomes were assessed using Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Statistical significance was set at a
Results:
Union rate was 100% in both groups. The mean union time was significantly shorter in the arthroscopic repair group (12.33 ± 2.54 weeks) than in the open repair group (14.78 ± 3.25 weeks;
Conclusion:
Both techniques yield excellent outcomes. Arthroscopic repair provides earlier union and faster functional recovery, with comparable long-term results.