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

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), with no significant difference between the groups (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), with no significant difference between the groups (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.