The Use of Suture Tape through a Single Tunnel to Fix Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture of Tibia, Via Arthroscopy: A Case Series of 16 Patients

ABSTRACT: Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures from the tibial insertion are rare but clinically notable injuries that can compromise knee stability if not treated effectively. Arthroscopic approaches have increasingly replaced open surgery for such injuries due to their less invasive nature and lower risk of postoperative issues. This retrospective case series evaluates the clinical and radiological outcomes of 16 patients treated with a single suture tape pullout approach for PCL tibial avulsion fractures. The average age of the patients was 29.6 years, and all were treated within 3 weeks of injury. Functional assessment was conducted using Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, and fracture healing was monitored with computed tomography. At a mean follow-up of 16.8 months, the Lysholm score improved from 48.2 to 91.7, and the IKDC score improved from 38.5 to 86.3, both with statistically notable P values ( P < 0.001). All patients obtained radiological union within 12 weeks. No major postoperative issues or fixation failures occurred. The dual-tunnel suture tape pullout approach offers excellent stability, facilitates early rehabilitation, and offers high union rates with minimal postoperative issues.