Failure of heat shrinkage for treatment of a posterior cruciate ligament tear.

Abstract

Incomplete tears or traumatic elongations of either the native cruciate ligaments or cruciate ligament reconstructions represent a therapeutic dilemma for orthopaedic surgeons. We report a case of a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament that was treated unsuccessfully with an electrothermal shrinkage procedure. Although the use of thermal energy to selectively shrink tissues may ultimately prove to be an invaluable tool, the lack of well-designed, randomized controlled studies to firmly establish its efficacy in the treatment of partial cruciate injuries mandates cautious use of this technique at this time.