[Plastic operation of the cruciate ligament (part I).]

In the submitted paper the authors describe in the introduction various possible ways of using autologous, homologous and heterologous transplants. A graft taken from the patellar ligament with two bone blocks from the patella and head of the tibia is, because of the great structural strength, the transplant of choice. As far as the surgical technique is concerned, the authors abondoned the open method because of its known disadvantages such as major arthrotomy and associated damage of proprioceptors of the knee joint. The authors are using the semi-open arthroscopic method, whereby artroscopic methods are definitely preferred. Positive aspects of arthroscopic methods are definitely preferred. Positive aspects of arthoscopy such as inspection of the joint, treatment of associated injuries, sparing of Hoffa's body and atraumatic surgical technique all are an advantage for the patient. An obvious advance in the surgical technique is the fixation of bone blocks by interference screws. This leads to early functional treatment using Lennox-Hill's orthesis and full burdening after 3-4 weeks. As most recent animal experiments confirmed that incorporation of the transplant from the lig. patellae is not completed before 12-14 month, it is no advantage to allow the patients to relieve the weight on the extremity. Shortening of the period of treatment reduces also trophic disorders on the operated extremity. Key words: instability of the knee joint, anterior cruciate ligament, plastic operation.