Description
In this lecture, Guido Geutjens, a consultant knee surgeon based in Derby, provides an insightful overview of the posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries and presents his technique for reconstruction. He begins with the anatomy of the knee, emphasizing the importance of both superficial and deep structures, including the popliteus-fibular ligaments and lateral ligaments in the context of knee stability. Guido explains the classification of Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries, detailing the biomechanical implications of injuries both isolated and combined with PLC injuries and their effects on knee translation.
He highlights the methodology for reconstruction, advocating for timely intervention, preferably within two weeks post-injury, and discusses the necessity of arthroscopic assessment. Clear guidelines for surgical technique are presented, including harnessing grafts for reconstruction and surgical principles that ensure robust outcomes, supported by the literature he references. He describes the specific surgical steps in the reconstruction of both the PLC and lateral collateral ligament (LCL), explaining where incisions are made, application of sutures, and the importance of identifying anatomical landmarks to guide the surgical approach.
Geutjens also shares his clinical experience, reporting on outcomes from his practice over the past eight years, which indicates a high success rate with few complications. Through this talk, he emphasizes the critical consideration of both clinical and anatomical factors when addressing posterolateral corner injuries, ultimately stressing the need for a strategic and anatomically-informed approach to knee reconstruction.