Abstract
Many reconstructive methods for the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee have been reported. Success of the anterior cruciate reconstruction depends on an accurate assessment of patients and correct diagnoses. Since March 1986, we have arthroscopically reconstructed the anterior cruciate ligaments with a Leeds-Keio artificial ligament in 71 knees of 44 men and 27 women with a mean age of 25.6 years (range, 16 to 52) . The mean period from injury to reconstruction was 34.6 months (range, 4 months to 10 years) . Here we studied and compared Intraoperative arthroscopic findings and postoperative results in 55 knees followed for 12 months or more.
The arthroscopic findings of the anterior cruciate ligament were as follows : In 36 knees the ligament had disappeared, in 31 a ruptured end was seen, and in 4 the ligament was thin and elongated. Meniscal injuries were seen in 63 knees (medial memiscal injuries in 34, lateral ones in 12, and medial and lateral ones in 17) . Full-thickness damage of articular cartilage was seen in 17 knees (damage of the medial femoral condyle in 4 knees, of the lateral femoral condyle in 8, and of the patelloffemoral cartilage and patellofemoral cartilage in 4) . The space of the femorotibial joint was narrowed after intra-articular reconstruction in all. But an abnormal opening of the femorotibial joint space remained in 36 knees (or the medial side in 23, on the lateral side in 12, and on both sides in one) . In 32 of these knees, combined intra-articular and extra-articular procedures were performed.
The post-operative results showed that there was a correlation between the method of meniscal surgery, the grade of chondral damage and additional extra-articular surgery, and that an abnormal opening of the femorotibial joint space remained after intra-articular reconstruction in 27 knees.
