Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by means of tibial tunnel: anatomical study on cadavers for tunnel positioning

AbstractObjectiveto determine the reference points for the exit of the tibial guidewire in relation to the posterior cortical bone of the tibia.Methodssixteen knees from fresh cadavers were used for this study. Using a viewing device and a guide marked out in millimeters, three guidewires were passed through the tibia at 0, 10 and 15mm distally in relation to the posterior crest of the tibia. Dissections were performed and the region of the center of the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was determined in each knee. The distances between the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL and the posterior tibial border (CB) and between the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL and wires 1, 2 and 3 (CW1, CW2 and CW3) were measured.Resultsin the dissected knees, we found the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL at 1.09±0.06cm from the posterior tibial border. The distances between the wires 1, 2 and 3 and the center of the tibial insertion of the PCL were respectively 1.01±0.08, 0.09±0.05 and 0.5±0.05cm.Conclusionthe guidewire exit point 10mm distal in relation to the posterior crest of the tibia was the best position for attempting to reproduce the anatomical center of the PCL