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Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with carbon fibres: unsatisfactory results after 8 years

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

A total of 37 patients were operated on for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency between 1980 and 1989 using two types of carbon fibre ligament substitutes. The average age of the population was 23.6 years. The carbon fibre prostheses were covered with either a strip of meidal joint capsule or lyophilized dura. Follow-up averaged 8.1 years (range 4–13 years), most of the operations being done from 1983 to 1985. Evaluation included a questionnaire, physical examination, Lysholm scoring, radiographs and cruciometer testing. The operated ACLs were looser than those in the contralateral healthy knees. The Lysholm scoring system gave acceptable results (excellent and good) in 43.5%, fair in 31.4% and poor in 24.1% of cases. Acceptable results provided better stability and muscle strength. During the follow-up there was an evident deterioration in stability as well as in Lysholm score. The results between the two tupes of ligaments did not become statistically different. Osteoarthrosis increased in all the knees examined radiographically (28/37). The results indicate that the ACL reconstructions using these types of carbon fibre prostheses lead to unacceptable results in the long-term follow-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Riihimäki District Hospital, P. O. Box 140, FIN-11101, Riihimäki, Finland

    S. E. Mäkisalo

  2. Department of Surgery, Central Military Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    T. Visuri & P. Jokio

  3. Research Institute of Military Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    A. Viljanen

Authors
  1. S. E. Mäkisalo
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  2. T. Visuri
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  3. A. Viljanen
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  4. P. Jokio
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Mäkisalo, S.E., Visuri, T., Viljanen, A. et al. Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with carbon fibres: unsatisfactory results after 8 years. Knee Surg, Sports traumatol, Arthroscopy 4, 132–136 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577404

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577404

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