Nine-year follow-up results of two methods of MacIntosh anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions

Forty-seven MacIntosh anterior cruciate reconstructions using iliotibial band were performed in patients with chronic instability symptoms and positive pivot shift jerk. In 22 knees, a lateral substitution technique alone was used. In 25 knees, the technique was supplemented with an intraarticular component. After an average of follow-up of nine years, 62% of knees had an excellent or good Lysholm score; 83% of patients remained active in sports. Subjectively, there was no deterioration of stability with time, and no return of the jerk on pivot shift testing, although a slide persisted in one third of the patients. The addition of an intraarticular component did not alter the subjective result. Objectively, the trend was toward improvement in functioning. The lateral tenodesis was the major determinant in the improvement of subjective stability and control of pivot shift jerk.