Introduction

The multiple ligament-injured knee is a devastating knee injury and a complex treatment challenge. The goal of this special two-part issue of Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine is to provide guidelines to the reader for the evaluation, treatment, and postoperative care of these complex knee injuries.

Part one addresses the anatomy and biomechanics of the knee, the initial evaluation of the acute multiple ligament-injured knee, classification of knee dislocations, treatment of vascular and neurologic injuries in the multiple ligament-injured knee, graft selections for surgical reconstruction, and the difference between low energy dislocations in the athlete and high energy dislocations secondary to trauma.

Part two addresses specific surgical techniques for the reconstruction of ACL-PCL-medial side injuries, ACL-PCL-lateral side injuries, ACL-PCL-medial-lateral side injuries (global laxity), arthroscopic and open surgical techniques, double bundle PCL reconstruction, postoperative rehabilitation and bracing, and complications in the multiple ligament-injured knee.

This special two-part issue of Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine focuses on the newest information and surgical techniques to treat bicruciate complex knee instability patterns. It has been a pleasure to work with this distinguished group of experts who present their approaches to these difficult knee injuries. It is our hope that the information provided in these issues will expand the available treatment options of our fellow knee surgeons in the care of their patients.