The MacIntosh lateral substitution reconstruction for anterior cruciate deficiency.

Twenty-five patients who had anterior cruciate deficient knees treated by the MacIntosh reconstruction operation were reviewed after 5 years, with particular reference to any changes occurring over time. Subjectively, the knees were improved and the results were even better after 5 years than after one year. This was considered to be due to a decrease in the restriction of flexion, and to the psychological and functional adaptation to the injured knee. In the knees operated on, the anterolateral instability increased significantly during the follow up from one year (mean 1.9 mm) to 5 years (3.0 mm), but the numerical value was still as good as in the intact knees (3.5 mm).