Dr. Matthew Provencher Emphasizes Thoughtful, Evidence-Based Approach to ACL–MCL Injury Treatment in Healio, Orthopedics Today
Matthew Provencher, MD was recently quoted in Healio Orthopedics discussing the evolving, evidence-based management of combined ACL–MCL injuries, urging clinicians to take a sensible, anatomy-driven approach that prioritizes knee stability and long-term patient outcomes.
In the Healio feature:
“‘Be sensible’ in treatment of ACL-MCL injuries,”
Dr. Provencher highlighted how advances in surgical understanding and technique have reshaped how surgeons approach these complex ligament injuries.
Advancements in MCL Repair Are Changing Outcomes
According to Dr. Provencher, improvements across multiple aspects of surgical care have allowed surgeons to better restore knee mechanics while reducing complications such as arthrofibrosis.
“With better understanding of the anatomy, better repair techniques, better anchor techniques, better sutures, better ways to anatomically augment collagen and better ways to use the internal brace, we have been able to minimize arthrofibrosis, yet restore the mechanics of the knee, especially with the MCL,” Provencher said.
He emphasized that restoring proper MCL function plays a critical role in protecting the reconstructed ACL.
“That helps with preventing excessive internal and external rotation, which will put a lot of force across the ACL graft,” he added.
These advancements allow surgeons to stabilize the knee more effectively while avoiding overtreatment, an approach Dr. Provencher underscored as essential when managing combined ligament injuries.
A Call for Stronger Clinical Evidence Through Collaboration
Looking ahead, Dr. Provencher stressed that continued progress in ACL–MCL treatment depends on stronger clinical evidence derived from larger patient populations.
“The best way to improve level of evidence recommendations for different tear types and treatments for ACL-MCL injuries is by obtaining more patient numbers in clinical outcomes,” Provencher said.
To achieve this, he advocated for broad collaboration across institutions.
“The only way we are going to be able to do that is with a multicenter study looking at the ACL and MCL together and how these are treated and how they turn out so we can continue to improve this important topic,” he said.
Getting It Right the First Time
At the core of Dr. Provencher’s message is a patient-centered goal: delivering durable stability and function with the first surgical intervention.
“At the end of the day, you want to get it right for the patient the first time so they have a stable, well-functioning knee,” Provencher said.
His comments reinforce a growing consensus in sports medicine that successful ACL–MCL management requires nuanced decision-making, precise surgical execution, and continued research to refine best practices.
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