[Control arthroscopy following alloplastically augmented anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

97 patients who had their ACL replaced with ligamentum patellae transplant augmented with LAD were reviewed arthroscopically after an average period of 9.1 months (4-22 months). 52 patients whose metal implants have been removed are virtually symptom-free clinically (no swelling, stable knee joint, extension limitation of less than 5 degrees, less than 10 degrees limitation of flexion). Arthroscopy on these 52 patients revealed the following; no abnormalities in 37, 11 cases of cartilage lesions, 1 case of medial meniscal tear and 7 cases of LAD tears. 45 patients who have also had their metal implants removed have complaints, arthroscopy revealed the following; hypertrophy of Hoffa's fat pad in 5 cases, 3 cases of medial meniscal tears, 2 cases of lateral meniscal tears. Tears of the LAD were seen in 9 cases. In 2 cases the transplant was missing, in 5 cases the transplant was elongated and in 2 cases the transplant showed normal structure. There were cartilage lesions in 9 cases, 4 cases of synovitis and scar tissue adhesion in 3. In all there were 16 cases of LAD tears, in 9 out of these 16 cases the transplant ACL of good structure. All of this knees were stable. Control arthroscopy is routinely carried out when we remove the metal implants. This enables us to detect any early problems, such as limitation of extension or swelling, assess the success of the operation and commence the corresponding additional therapy.