We reviewed the results of arthroscopic-assisted anterior cruciate lig
ament (ACL) allograft reconstructions in 40 patients who had advanced
articular cartilage deterioration documented by arthroscopy during the
reconstruction. A mean of 7 years had elapsed between the original in
jury and the reconstruction, and 102 prior operative procedures had be
en done in 34 of the 40 patients. A total of 64 articular cartilage le
sions were noted; 34 knees had lesions in the medial or lateral tibiof
emoral compartment. Postoperatively, all had immediate motion and earl
y functional rehabilitation. The results were assessed using the Cinci
nnati Knee Rating System, At follow-up (mean, 37 months), significant
improvements were found for pain, giving-way, and functional limitatio
ns with daily and sports activities (P < .01). Fifty-five percent had
returned to mostly light athletics (avoiding high impact sports) based
on our advice and were asymptomatic. The mean overall rating scores s
ignificantly improved (P < .0001, mean improvement 22 points). We conc
luded that the majority of patients in this study with chronic ACL rup
ture and post-traumatic arthrosis benefited short-term from athroscopi
c-assisted ACL reconstruction.