Method for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the semitendinosus tendon.

There is still considerable difference of opinion as to the advisability of reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament in chronic rotatory instability. This paper presents a simple method of anterior cruciate reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon in 12 cases of chronic combined anteromedial-anterolateral rotatory instability along with preliminary results. In all cases the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate was associated with extraarticular reconstruction. Posterior oblique ligament and semimembranosus advancement was used for the medial compartment and biceps advancement for the lateral compartment. The initial results, with an average followup of 8 months, showed an anterior drawer sign with the tibia in neutral rotation of less than 1+ in all cases compared to a previous series in which, at the same point in time, 36 of 42 patients had a 2+ drawer sign and 6 had a 3+. There has been inadequate time for evaluation of the long-term results. Further comparison with longer followups are needed to determine how well this type of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction works for extraarticular reconstructions.