SYNTHETIC AUGMENTED REPAIR OF PROXIMAL RUPTURES OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT - LONG-TERM RESULTS OF 66 PATIENTS

The long-term results (five-to eight-year follow-up evaluation) of 66 patients with high proximal ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACI,) who were treated operatively are presented in a retrospective and uncontrolled study. Technique of surgery was the reinsertion of th e ACL in a multiple suture loop technique, augmented with Kennedy-LAD (ligament augmentation device) on over the top route in temporary doub le-end fixation. This technique was used in patients with proximal rup ture of the anterior cruciate ligament found at arthroscopy. In the fo llow-up as well as in instrumented measurement, 97% of the knee joints have normal joint laxity. According to the evaluation sheet designed by the Orthopadische Arbeitsge-meinschaft Knie (OAK), excellent or goo d results were found in 86% of the patients. Nine percent had limited range of motion. The ACI, reconstruction technique allowed 75% of the patients to regain their preinjury sports activity level. The potentia l advantages of synthetic augmented reinsertion of the ACL are anatomi c reconstruction without destruction of other anatomic structures as g rafts; securing early rehabilitation with weight bearing of the operat ed limb depending on individual pain tolerance; and presenting excelle nt long-term results of normal joint laxity.