Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a patellar tendon autograft. A long term follow up.

Three hundred and eighty-four athletes with chronic anterior cruciate instability were treated by a free autologous graft of the lateral third of the patellar tendon. Evaluation 5 to 9 years after operation was carried out in 334 cases by physical examination, the KT-1000 arthrometer and the Tegner and Lysholm scoring scale. There were 89.5% satisfactory results and 10.5% were unsatisfactory. Global instability, advanced osteoarthritis and restricted movement after operation were the reasons for a poor outcome. In 9 cases, histological examination showed good incorporation of the graft.