Results of surgical treatment of knee instabilities

Between January 1, 1981 and January 5, 1987, 146 reconstructive operations for acute (39) and chronic (107) knee instabilities were performed. THe majority of the acute cases were anteromedial (24), and of the chronic instabilities, 33 were anteromedial, 14 anterolateral, and 53 combined anteromedial-anterolateral. In terms of suture, replacement, and reinforcement of the damaged structures of the acute cases, 32 were good, 6 fair, and 1 poor, while the reconstruction, according to Müller, for chronic instabilities produced good results in 34, fair in 59, and poor in 14. It is essential that such operations be performed by a trained surgical team. For success, precise knowledge of anatomy, exact examination, accurate diagnosis, adequate surgical techniques, and careful postoperative treatment are essential.