[Arthroscopic shaving following cruciate ligament-plasty]

An extension deficit after ACL reconstruction is disabling for the patient. As a result of intensive physiotherapy, the extension deficit can even increase and may be painful. Arthroscopic follow-up of 121 patients with problems after ACL reconstruction revealed hyperplasia of the transplant in 30 cases. Repetitive trauma due to the "notch" creates bleeding and finally the appearance of big tumors sitting on the surface of the transplant. The extension deficit is the result of those tumors. The original cause was malalignment of the transplant. Arthroscopic shaving of the transplant (including notch plasty) proved to be very efficient. Full extension was achieved after this rather simple procedure.