Cruciate repair is repairing a torn or avulsed cruciate ligament from its two ends, rather than using a replacement graft.
Page updated July 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
In selected patients the cruciate ligament can be brought back to the native position against the wall of the notch and fixed there.
A braided 'internal brace' may be used to support the ligament during healing.
Cruciate repair versus reconstruction
Cruciate repair had been abandoned some years ago in favour of cruciate reconstruction but, with improved understanding of which cruciate tears heal more readily and with improved technology, the procedure is making a comeback, especially in children.
Sherman classification
The Sherman Classification is useful in determining which cruciate tears are most likely to be amenable to repair, that is a Sherman Type I, which is an avulsion of the upper part of the ligament from the wall of the intercondylar notch.
Forum discussions
- High tibial osteotomy prior to cruciate repair
Discussion about the issues of complex ligament injuries and the battle to regain knee stability.
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Relevant material -
Peer-reviewed papers -
- Journal interpretation - 2021 - Primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament: A paradigm shift. - Authors: van der List JP et al. summarised by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
- Journal interpretation - 2016 - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair with Internal Brace Ligament Augmentation. - Authors: Wilson WT et al. summarised by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
eBook - ACL Repair in Children
Easy to read book about the special circumstances of ACL injury in children. Free to download.