Description
This presentation by Dr. Maria Tuca, a knee surgeon from Chile, focuses on the "unhappy triad" of knee injuries, which comprises tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the medial meniscus. Dr. Tuca outlines the anatomy and biomechanics of the knee, emphasizing the interdependence of these structures in maintaining stability against valgus and rotational forces. The rise in failure rates of ACL reconstructions tied to residual medial laxity and untreated medial meniscal tears is highlighted, along with statistics indicating the commonality and variations of these injuries. Dr. Tuca reviews historical perspectives and shifts in understanding from earlier studies to contemporary research that suggests a potential tetrad injury including anterolateral complex injuries. The presentation stresses the importance of thorough physical examinations, appropriate imaging techniques, and stress tests to assess the extent of injuries, while proposing treatment algorithms that consider the healing potential of medial injuries as well as surgical options for more severe cases. It concludes with insights on rehabilitation protocols designed to reduce complications like arthrofibrosis and future research directions aiming to refine surgical intervention criteria.
DOI: 10.1302/3114-210626