Extraarticular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament insufficient knee. A long-term analysis of the Ellison procedure.

This paper reports an analysis for treatment of anterolateral rotatory instability by the Ellison procedure, a technique involving rerouting a portion of the iliotibial band posterior to the fibular collateral ligament. A detailed description of the operative procedure is presented. One hundred four patients were evaluated for subjective improvement. The average length of followup was 51 months (range, 24 to 100 months). Eighty-one patients (80%) had a good or excellent result, 15 patients (14%) were rated fair, and 6 patients (6%) were rated poor. Sixty-three patients returned for a detailed clinical examination (average followup was 53 months; range, 24 to 100 months). An excellent or good objective rating was achieved in 49 patients (78%). Ten patients (16%) were rated as fair, and four patients (6%) were rated as failures. We recommend the Ellison procedure for the recreational athlete as a safe and effective mode of treatment for anterolateral rotatory instability.