[Basic principles of after care following autoplastic reconstruction of the cruciate ligament]

Since 1984 we avoided immobilization after reconstruction of the anterior and/or posterior cruciate ligament. Principles of kinematics were taken in consideration during aftertreatment. Results were very satisfactory in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Subjective assessment of knee function (Lysholm score), objective measurement of anterior-posterior knee stability (KT-1000 arthrometer) and clinical follow-up results were good without immobilization.--This cannot be said for the posterior cruciate ligament, because the number of patients was too small. Our current concept of rehabilitation after reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament may yet serve as a reasonable but still unproven approach to the problem.