Surgical treatment of acute lateral collateral ligament and posterolateral corner injuries

Early surgical treatment of injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee is recommended to promote rehabilitation for normal function of the knee. To optimize the chance at primary repair, surgery should be performed within 2 weeks; otherwise, reconstruction is the most viable option. During operative treatment, each component of the posterolateral corner is assessed individually, with primary repair performed if amenable to repair. Additional techniques, such as augmentation, advancement, or reconstruction may be needed if the primary repair is tenuous or the tissues damaged.