REVISION SURGERY FOLLOWING FAILURE OF ANT ERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Not every reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is successf ul. Possible reasons for failure are renewed severe trauma, inadequate fixation of the transplant, an isometric mistake, weak transplant mat erial, an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed in isola tion in a complex unstable knee, or prosthetic ligaments. Revision sur gery is indicated when patients complain about the recurrence of knee instability. Preoperative diagnostic procedures must include X-rays wi th the knee in defined positions in order to determine drill hole cour ses and visualize any signs of arthrosis and the patellar position. Re vision surgery is hampered by disadvantageously placed drill holes, ex haustion of the supply of transplant material, secondary instabilities , gonarthrosis or a possible arthrofibrosis. During rehabilitation a v ariable knee position is imperative, because of the different procedur es that might need to be implemented.