Isolated lateral extra-articular tenodesis enhance better rotatory knee joint stability post-primary ACL repair: Four cases report and literature review

Introduction and importanceResidual rotatory instability has been reported to occur after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The anterolateral ligament complex of the knee has gained attention for its role in rotational instability of the knee, especially in association with anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The role of an isolated lateral extra-articular tenodesis procedure among those patients presenting with residual rotatory instability after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has not been reported on.Case presentationFour patients (Tegner level 4) presenting with residual rotatory instability after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without signs of graft failure, underwent an isolated lateral extra-articular tenodesis with modified Lemaire procedure. Pre- and postoperative outcome scores were assessed. At one-year follow-up, all patients reported functional knee stability. Pivot shift tests were negative and postoperative Lysholm scores were increased with a mean of 19.75 points. Tegner scores equaled the preinjury level.Clinical discussionThis case report showed that our four patients where successfully treated with an isolated secondary modified Lemaire procedure for residual anterolateral rotatory instability after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.ConclusionAn isolated secondary lateral extra-articular tenodesis procedure can be a valuable treatment option for moderate active patients with residual rotatory instability after a primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without signs of graft failure.     

Physeal sparing reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature prepubescent children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: The management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature patients is controversial. Conventional adult reconstruction techniques risk potential iatrogenic growth disturbance due to physeal damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a physeal sparing, combined intra-articular and extra-articular reconstruction technique in prepubescent skeletally immature children. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2002, forty-four skeletally immature prepubescent children and adolescents who were in Tanner stage 1 or 2 (with a mean chronological age of 10.3 years) underwent physeal sparing, combined intraarticular and extra-articular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with use of an autogenous iliotibial band graft. Twenty-seven patients had additional meniscal surgery. Functional outcome, graft survival, radiographic outcome, and growth disturbance were evaluated at a mean of 5.3 years after surgery. RESULTS: Two patients underwent a revision reconstruction for graft failure at 4.7 and 8.3 years postoperatively. In the remaining forty-two patients, the mean International Knee Documentation subjective knee score (and standard deviation) was 96.7 +/- 6.0 points, and the mean Lysholm knee score was 95.7 +/- 6.7 points. The results of the Lachman examination for anterior cruciate ligament integrity was normal for twenty-three patients, nearly normal for eighteen patients, and abnormal for one patient. The results of the pivot-shift examination were normal for thirty-one patients and nearly normal for eleven patients. Four of the twenty-three patients who underwent concurrent meniscal repair had a repeat arthroscopic meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy. The mean growth in total height from the time of surgery to the final follow-up evaluation was 21.5 cm. No patient had an angular deformity measured radiographically or a discrepancy in the length of the lower extremities measured clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Physeal sparing, combined intra-articular and extra-articular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with use of an autogenous iliotibial band graft in skeletally immature prepubescent children and adolescents provides excellent functional outcome with a low revision rate and a minimal risk of growth disturbance.     

关节镜下保留残束重建前交叉韧带的疗效

目的:评价保留残束重建前交叉韧带治疗前交叉韧带部分束损伤的临床疗效。方法:自2002年1月至2009年12月,采用保留残束重建前交叉韧带57例,其中男39例,女18例;年龄16～49岁,平均28.5岁;左膝33例,右膝24例;运动伤及训练伤40例,交通事故伤7例,生活扭伤10例。前抽屉试验阳性23例,弱阳性6例;Lachman试验阳性19例,弱阳性4例;前抽屉试验和Lachman试验均阳性5例;侧方应力试验(内侧)阳性24例。Rolimeter检查胫骨前移7.5～11.5mm,平均8.7mm。国际膝关节文献委员会评分(IKDC)70.0±7.5,膝关节Lysholm评分68.0±6.3。受伤至手术时间1周～12个月,平均3.1个月。结果:关节镜下前内侧束重建32例,后外侧束重建25例。术后57例均获随访,平均时间22.5个月(13～37个月)。末次随访膝关节活动度达120°～130°,前抽屉试验及Lachman试验均阴性54例,前抽屉试验弱阳性2例,Lachman试验弱阳性1例;术后Rolimeter检查膝关节稳定性良好。术后IKDC评分92.0±4.9,Lysholm评分91.0±3.7,均较术前提高。结论:保留残束重建前交叉韧带,有利于移植物血供建立、胶原纤维爬行替代、本体感觉恢复和膝关节的稳定性。     

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Allograft versus autograft

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the minimal 2-year outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) allografts versus autografts, both augmented with an iliotibial band tenodesis. Type of Study: Retrospective review. Methods: Forty-six of 52 BPTB ACL reconstructions using allografts and 33 of 37 BPTB ACL reconstructions using autografts were followed up at a mean of 2.75 and 3.36 years, respectively. All patients had an iliotibial band tenodesis. Evaluations included the Lysholm II scale, a questionnaire, physical examination findings, and KT-1000 arthrometry. Results: No statistically significant differences were seen between groups in Lysholm II scores or in any subjective category. Most patients (91% allograft; 97% autograft) had good to excellent Lysholm II scores. Sixty-five percent of allograft patients and 73% of autograft patients returned to their preinjury activity level. More allograft patients complained of retropatellar pain (16% v 9% for autograft patients). Fifty-three percent of allograft patients versus 23% of autograft patients had a flexion deficit of 5° or more when compared with the normal contralateral side. When comparing KT-1000 side-to-side differences, we found no significant differences between groups. Ninety-one percent of both groups had maximum side-to-side differences less than 5 mm. Three allograft patients (6.5%) had traumatic ruptures at 12, 19, and 43 months postoperatively versus none in the autograft group. All three allograft patients who sustained postoperative traumatic ruptures had received fresh frozen, nonirradiated allografts. Conclusions: Results of ACL reconstruction using allografts or autografts augmented with an iliotibial band tenodesis were comparable. The BPTB autograft should remain the gold standard, although the BPTB allograft in ACL reconstruction is a reasonable alternative.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 5 (May-June), 2003: pp 453–462     

Z-plasty lengthening for iliotibial band friction syndrome

Iliotibial band friction syndrome presents with lateral knee pain usually in runners. When conservative treatment fails, surgical lengthening, or Z-plasty, can provide symptomatic relief. This retrospective study evaluated the long-term results of iliotibial band Z-plasty for chronic iliotibial band friction syndrome in a consecutive series of patients. Inclusion criteria were failed nonoperative treatment for symptomatic iliotibial band friction syndrome for at least 3 months, minimum age of 17 years, and closed growth plates. Exclusion criteria were history of significant trauma, prior knee surgery, lateral compartment pathology, and anterior or posterior cruciate ligament instability. Postoperative evaluation included annual physical examination consisting of Tegner, Lysholm, Cincinnati, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) activity scores. Of an initial group of 11 patients, 8 were evaluated an average of 75.6 months postoperatively (range: 59-97 months). Average length of preoperative symptoms was 15.6 months (range: 3-36 months), and average length of nonoperative management was 6.9 months (range: 3-24 months). Postoperatively, mean Cincinnati score was 82.9 (range: 55-95), Tegner score was 4.4 (range: 2-7), Lysholm score was 88.6 (range: 57-100), and IKDC activity score was 2.6 (range: 1-4). No adverse events occurred during surgery. All patients reported complete resolution of lateral knee pain and a full return to preoperative activity levels. Iliotibial Z-plasty was successful for refractory iliotibial band friction syndrome. This improvement was maintained out to 8 years after surgery.     

Combined intra-articular and extra-articular reconstructions for anterior tibial subluxation

This article describes several procedures that combine intra-articular techniques with extra-articular techniques to stabilize the knee with anterior tibial subluxation. The procedures detailed are reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon and the iliotibial tract; tenodesis using a strip of iliotibial tract combined with intra-articular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with the central third of the patellar tendon; "mini-reconstruction"; and a procedure utilizing a vascularized patellar tendon graft plus "dynamic" augmentation.     

Intra- and extra-articular hamstring reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament tears

We examined a reconstruction technique for tears of the anterior cruciate ligament using the hamstring tendons. The tendons were harvested en bloc, leaving the tibial insertion intact. Three intra-articular strands (two semitendinous and one gracilis) and lateral tenodesis were used with continuity via the gracilis. The intra-articular procedure was performed arthroscopically with tunneling laterally to medially to achieve the best position. Ligamentoplasty was performed in 262 cases. Outcome was satisfactory. This method preserves the lateral iliotibial sheath and spares the extensors apparatus. It is particularly interesting for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament tears when a lateral tenodesis appears to be necessary.     

4-year results following Insall anterior cruciate ligament-plasty

From May 1984 until December 1987 56 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were done in cases with single plane anteromedial instability, using the bone block iliotibial band transfer. The anterior distal part of the iliotibial tract with its osseous insertion from Gerdy's tubercule was used. The immediate fixation of the bone block by a screw or by threads to the tibia allows early motion of the knee, because no immobilization is necessary. There were 56 patients: 14 women, 42 men; 34 right, 22 left. About the same number (65) with more severe multiplane laxity had been treated by other methods for reconstruction or augmentation of the anterior cruciate ligament. The average follow-up is 25.06 (6-52) months for these patients (12.88). All patients had full extension of the involved knee. None had an effusion and only eight complained of occasional pain. At follow-up some laxity was detected by the anterior drawer test and Lachman test (20 degrees). The LYSHOLM Score was very high at the time of follow-up = 98.67 points.     

The Ellison iliotibial-band transfer for a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. Long-term follow-up.

We studied the long-term results of the Ellison technique of extra-articular transfer of the iliotibial band, without advancement of the biceps tendon, as the sole operative treatment for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Thirty-two patients (thirty-two knees) were evaluated an average of eleven years (range, seven to fifteen years) after the operation. The average age at the time of the operation was twenty-two years (range, sixteen to thirty-four years). Eighteen patients (56 per cent) had a modified Lysholm score of less than 84 points, indicating symptoms during the activities of daily living. Only six patients (19 per cent) had a subjectively normal knee (a modified Lysholm score of more than 94 points). The most common reason for a poor subjective score was the presence of symptoms of instability, in twenty-four patients (75 per cent). Twenty-four patients (75 per cent) had a positive pivot-shift test and twenty-nine patients (91 per cent), a positive Lachman test. Twelve patients (38 per cent) had severe (grade 3 or 4) radiographic changes. The radiographs of the knee appeared normal (grade 0) in only eight patients (25 per cent). There was a significant association between a meniscal injury and radiographic changes (p < 0.05). Fourteen patients (44 per cent) had subsequent procedures due to persistent instability or pathological changes in the articular cartilage or in a meniscus. There was a significant decline in the subjective and objective knee scores in the twenty-one patients who were evaluated at both two and eleven years. The number of patients who had a positive pivot-shift test increased from five (24 per cent) to sixteen (76 per cent). Subjectively, the number of patients who had a good result decreased from fourteen (67 per cent) to five (24 per cent). Objectively, nine patients (43 per cent) had a rating of good at two years; this fell to three (14 per cent) at eleven years. Symptomatic instability, pain, and a positive pivot-shift test were the most common reasons for a poor result. Because of the decline in the subjective and objective scores, we no longer recommend the Ellison procedure as the sole operative treatment for a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.     

Editorial Commentary: Autograft,Early Surgery, 2-Stage Surgery for 1 cm of Tunnel Widening or Greater,and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction or Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis May Improve Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Revision Surgery

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a challenging procedure. Results are less satisfactory than those of primary ACLR owing to bone defects, altered anatomic landmarks, and concomitant injuries. Modifiable factors such as autograft, early surgery, 2-stage surgery for 1 cm of tunnel widening or greater, and anterolateral ligament reconstruction or lateral extra-articular tenodesis may improve outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery. Finally, it is important to consider patients’ expectations after revision ACLR when counseling patients and making surgical decisions.     

Incidence and mechanism of the pivot shift. An in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and mechanism of the pivot shift phenomenon in the normal and anterior cruciate ligament transected knee in vitro. Fifteen knees were tested under a range of valgus moments and iliotibial tract tensions when intact and after anterior cruciate ligament transection. Knee kinematics were measured and described in terms of tibial rotation as the knee flexed. Eight knees pivoted after anterior cruciate ligament transection. The mean pivot shift motion was an external tibial rotation of 17 degrees (+/- 11 degrees standard deviation) over a range of 27 degrees (+/- 24 degrees) knee flexion, at a mean flexion angle of 56 degrees (+/- 27 degrees). Clinically, this corresponds to a reduction of an anteriorly subluxed lateral tibial plateau as the knee flexes. When intact, pivoting and nonpivoting knees had similar anteroposterior laxity, but after anterior cruciate ligament transection, the pivoting group had significantly greater laxity. The loading required to elicit the pivot shift was critical and variable between knees, which raises questions about comparing clinicians' techniques and results in assessing the buckling instability attributable to anterior cruciate ligament injury.     

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients who are prepubescent.

Between 1980 and 1996, 17 children who were prepubescent have had a combined intraarticular and extraarticular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the iliotibial band that does not violate the physes. The average chronological age of the patients was 11 years (range, 2-14 years) and the average skeletal age of the patients was 10 years (range, 2-13 years). Eight of the 10 patients who had attained skeletal maturity were evaluated at an average of 66.5 months postoperatively (range, 25-168 months). All knees were stable subjectively by history and objectively by KT1000 testing. The average Lysholm score at assessment was 97.4. No child with a traumatic disruption had leg length discrepancy develop.     

Transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients. A preliminary report

BACKGROUND: Fear of iatrogenic growth disturbance has prevented the routine use, in children, of anatomic methods of anterior cruciate ligament replacement that have proven successful in adults. To minimize the risk of growth disturbance, extra-articular or modified physeal sparing procedures have been performed to stabilize the knee, but these procedures do not provide isometry. This study was performed to evaluate the results of a transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature athletes. METHODS: From 1993 to 1999, twelve patients with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 13.3 +/- 1.4 years underwent replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament with a quadruple hamstring tendon graft performed with an arthroscopic technique and intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging for precise tunnel placement. The femoral and tibial tunnels went through the epiphyses but avoided the physes. Eight of the twelve patients also had a meniscal repair. All patients returned for follow-up, at a mean of 4.1 +/- 1.9 years (range, two to 8.2 years) after surgery. RESULTS: The mean amount of growth from the time of surgery to the time of follow-up was 16.5 +/- 10.0 cm (range, 8 to 38 cm). The difference between the lengths of the lower limbs, as measured on orthoradiographs, was not clinically relevant. The mean score on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form was 96.5 +/- 4.4 points (range, 86 to 100 points). Ligament laxity testing with a KT-1000 arthrometer revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 1.5 +/- 1.1 mm. The rating according to the criteria of the objective 2001 IKDC knee form was normal for seven patients and nearly normal for five. CONCLUSIONS: Transepiphyseal replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament, a technically demanding procedure with a small margin of error, should be attempted only by accomplished knee surgeons. The preliminary results in this small series, however, demonstrate that this surgical technique can be performed in prepubescent patients with efficacy and relative safety.     

Editorial Commentary: During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction,Lateral Extra-Articular Procedures Have Risks and Should be Reserved for Proper Indications: Do Not LET ALL Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions Be the Same

Recently, there has been renewed interest in performing a lateral extra-articular procedure (LEAP), either an anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction or a LET (lateral extra-articular tenodesis) to address a deficiency of the anterolateral complex (ALC) of the knee during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The ALC consists of the superficial and deep aspects of the iliotibial band with its Kaplan fiber attachments on the distal femur, along with the ALL, a structure within the anterolateral capsule. The ALC functions to provide anterolateral rotatory stability as a secondary stabilizer of the ACL. The evidence to date is that the addition of a LEAP to a revision ACL reconstruction may reduce the risk of repeat graft failure and rotatory laxity. However, in some cases, performing a LEAP may not confer any additional benefit and add unwarranted risk including lateral pain, reduced quadriceps strength, longer time to recovery, and overconstraint of the lateral compartment with associated cartilage damage. Perhaps LEAP is best indicated for high-risk patients (young, active in pivoting sports, high-grade pivot-shift, generalized ligamentous laxity or knee hyperextension, Segond fracture, chronic ACL lesion, lateral femoral notch sign, lateral coronal plane laxity, concurrent meniscus repair, or ALC injury on magnetic resonance imaging). Other modifiable risk factors should not be ignored (graft choice, graft size, tunnel position, graft fixation, associated injuries such as a lateral meniscal root tear, or anatomic factors such as an increased posterior tibial slope). Do not LET ALL revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions be the same! A lateral extra-articular procedure may sometimes, but not always, reduce the risk of further failure.     

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons and lateral extra-articular reconstruction

BACKGROUND: The outcome of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has only rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of revision anterior cruciate ligament surgery with use of an autogenous doubled semitendinosus and gracilis graft in association with an extra-articular procedure. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2003, thirty patients underwent a repeat reconstruction of a previously reconstructed torn anterior cruciate ligament with use of a doubled semitendinosus and gracilis graft combined with an extra-articular reconstruction. Primary reconstruction had been done with an autogenous patellar tendon graft in twenty-six patients and with a prosthetic ligament in four patients; the average time from the primary reconstruction to the revision was five years. Functional outcomes, graft survival, and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at a mean of five years. A graft was considered to have failed when a revision was done or when the side-to-side difference on KT-1000 arthrometer testing was >5 mm and/or the pivot-shift test grade was greater than a trace. RESULTS: One patient underwent another revision reconstruction because of graft failure at three years postoperatively. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score for the remaining twenty-nine patients was 84 +/- 12 points, and the mean Lysholm knee score was 90 +/- 10 points. The side-to-side difference as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer with maximum manual force was <3 mm in twenty patients (of the twenty-eight who returned for follow-up), between 3 and 5 mm in six patients, and >5 mm in two patients. The result of the pivot shift examination was normal in fifteen patients, slightly positive in eleven patients, and positive in two patients. Twenty-five percent of the patients showed no radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease. CONCLUSIONS: Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with use of an autogenous doubled semitendinosus and gracilis graft combined with an extra-articular procedure provided satisfactory functional outcomes, with a failure rate of 10%.     

MacIntosh-Jones reconstruction for the unstable knee

A group of 45 patients who underwent replacement of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament with a free graft of one-third of the patellar tendon combined with a lateral extra-articular tenodesis have been reviewed. The average age of the patients was 26.4 years and the mean follow-up period 3.2 years. Stability was achieved in 42 patients (93 per cent), judged on clinical criteria. Overall patient satisfaction was high at 73 per cent and 38 patients (84 per cent) maintained their sporting activity at a social or competitive level. Those who had unsatisfactory results had undergone significant delay before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.     

Surgical or non-surgical treatment of acute rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. A randomized study with long-term follow-up

One hundred and eleven consecutive patients who had acute injuries to the knee that included rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, as shown by physical examination with the patient under anesthesia and by diagnostic arthroscopy, were randomized to three treatment groups: simple repair of all injured structures, repair of all injured structures and augmentation of the anterior cruciate ligament with a strip of the iliotibial band, and repair of all injured structures except the anterior cruciate ligament. In all other respects, the knees were treated in an identical fashion. Of the 111 patients, 107 were re-examined forty-five months or more after operation. At the most recent follow-up, the knees that had been treated by repair and augmentation of the anterior cruciate ligament were significantly more stable and had had significantly fewer subsequent meniscal tears. Sufficient instability to necessitate late reconstruction was also less frequent in the patients who had had an augmented repair. These patients had better function of the knee and a higher level of activity than the patients in the other two groups. Sixty-four per cent of these patients who had a rupture of the anterior cruciate also had a meniscal tear, and primary care was indicated for more than 50 per cent of the tears. Therefore, we believe that early arthroscopic examination is essential for patients who have an acute rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.     

膝关节多韧带损伤的手术治疗体会

目的 :介绍膝关节多韧带损伤的手术治疗方法和结果 ,总结治疗的经验与教训。方法 :随访自2008年至2013年经治的26例膝关节多韧带损伤患者,其中男17例,女9例;年龄29~55岁,平均40.7岁。所有患者在关节镜下采用自体或异体肌腱重建交叉韧带,并同时修补内侧副韧带、外侧副韧带及处理内外侧复合体损伤。9例分期手术,其余均采取Ⅰ期手术处理所有损伤。用Lysholm膝关节评分评价手术前后膝关节功能。结果:26例均获随访,时间为0.8~3.2年,平均1.6年,手术平均等待时间为1.2个月。术前膝关节Lysholm评分42.5±4.5(33~48分),终末随访时78.1±3.9(57~95分),随访时评分提高。术后关节活动度均超过90°,内外翻试验正常或接近正常,所有患者在屈70°时Lachman试验阴性。结论 :膝关节韧带多发损伤应首选关节镜下Ⅰ期重建;如无法Ⅰ期同时重建前后交叉韧带,则Ⅰ期先重建后交叉韧带,Ⅱ期重建前交叉韧带;后交叉韧带因多种原因易漏诊,避免因术前准备不充分而分期手术。     

Anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency treated by combined medial and lateral extra-articular reconstruction

Thirty patients who required surgery for an unstable knee with "giving way" symptoms were operated during 1979-1981 with a pes anserinus transfer and an Ellison procedure at the same séance. All patients had an insufficient anterior cruciate ligament prior to surgery. Of these 24 patients had a positive pivot-shift test, and 26 patients had an anteromedial rotatory instability. Twenty-eight patients were seen at a follow-up after an average of 28 months (range 19-49). There were 12 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 28 years. Eleven patients (39%) declared that their knee function was distinctly improved, and six (21%) that it was moderately improved after surgery. Knee function was unchanged for ten patients (36%), and one patient said that the knee function had deteriorated after surgery. The functional result was not correlated with the duration of symptoms or with the follow-up time. Physical examination revealed that the anterior drawer had not disappeared for any of the patients. A positive pivot-shift sign was still present in 18 patients, and 23 patients displayed an increased varus instability.--All but six patients still had some instability experiences, and most of them could not completely return to active sports. However, the method could provide an alternative for patients engaged in frequent but not heavy physical activity.     

Operative management of acute PCL injuries with associated pathology: long-term results.

Eighteen consecutive patients with posterior cruciate ligament injury and associated pathology were reviewed. All were re-examined with an average follow up of 5.4 years (range: 3.5 to 7.5). Six posterior cruciate ligaments were repaired to the femur with multiple #2 nonabsorbable suture, and one "mop end" mid-substance tear was repaired with sutures in each stump. Seven mid-substance tears were repaired and augmented with the semitendinosus tendon, while four additional mid-substance tears were repaired and augmented with the semitendinosus tendon and a Dacron stent (Meadox). One medial meniscus was repaired and one was partially excised, and one lateral meniscus tear was partially excised. The anterior cruciate ligament was repaired to the tibia in two knees, left alone (interstitial tear) in two, and excised with extraarticular iliotibial band tenodesis augmentation in five. At follow up, arthrometer readings (Stryker) correlated well with clinical examination. The four knees with Dacron stent had a 0 to 1 mm difference at 90 degrees, while the failures had greater than 5 to 6 mm. Six of these were in the repair alone group and two were in the repair with semitendinosus augmentation group. Eight knees (44.5%) had radiographic changes primarily in the medial compartment. Using Hughston's perimeters to evaluate the results, objective 55.5% were rated good, 27.8% were rated fair, and 16.7% were rated poor or failures. Using Clancy's criteria, 22.2% were excellent, 22.2% were good, 44.5% were fair, and 11.1% were rated failures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)