What is an LET (Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis) with Dr. Catherine Logan?

Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis (LET) is a procedure designed to address anterolateral complex deficiency of the knee.

The procedure is performed as an augmentation to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) to reduce anterolateral rotatory laxity.

What are the indications for LET?

Lateral extra-articular tenodesis and other anterolateral procedures improve patient outcomes when combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Failure rates are >50% lower in young patients at high risk of reinjury. 

At high risk as those aged 14 to 25 years with 2 or more factors of the following criteria:

1) returning to contact pivoting sport

2) high-grade anterolateral rotatory laxity, as measured by pivot shift test (grade 2 or higher)

3) generalized ligamentous laxity (Beighton score greater than 4 or knee hyperextension recurvatum of greater than 10°

Other indications may include Segond fracture, chronic anterior cruciate ligament lesion, radiographic lateral femoral notch sign, and lateral coronal plane laxity.

 

Author

Dr. Catherine Logan, MD, MBA

Catherine Logan, MD, MBA, MSPT, is a sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon specializing in complex knee and shoulder surgery at Colorado Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics (COSMO) in Denver, Colorado. As a former physical therapist & trainer, Dr. Logan provides a distinct expertise in sports injury, prevention, and surgical management.