Anterior cruciate reconstruction using the Jones-Ellison procedure

We performed a follow-up study of forty consecutive combined Jones-Ellison anterior-cruciate reconstructions in a young, athletic population. The mean interval from injury to operation was 2.7 years. Preoperatively, all patients had a 3+ or 4+ pivot shift and instability. All but five patients had a meniscal tear, and thirty patients had arthritic changes in the knee at the time of operation. Postoperatively only four of the patients had any complaints of giving-way. Although thirty of the patients returned to their previous sports activities, only eight achieved the preinjury level of performance. Arthritic symptoms were present at operation in thirty patients, while thirty-four had no postoperative objective signs of pivot shift or instability.