Surgical reconstruction of chronic anteromedial rotatory instability of the knee

Abstract

The clinical records were reviewed of 142 men and 7 women (average age 26.8 years; range, 15 to 58 years) who had surgical reconstruction for anteromedial rotatory instability of the knee. All were treated consecutively at the same clinic during a 15- year period (1960 to 1975). Preoperative and postoperative symptoms were rated both subjectively and objectively by de vised scales and analyzed by a computer program. Comparison of the three major surgical procedures show that the subjective success rate was 87% for the pes anserinus transfer, 70% for the posterior oblique ligament reconstruction, and 72% for the combination procedure. Of the 149 patients, 130 had been injured in sportive activities and 110 were able to return to some degree of athletics. Accurate and detailed recording of clinical data allowed construction of subjective and objective rating systems for computer analysis in review of a large series over a period of years. This approach enhanced our ability to obtain correlation and objective evaluation of the data. Com mercial equipment for evaluating the quadriceps and ham- strings is beneficial in determining that a patient has achieved complete rehabilitation or if there will be a permanent decrease in function after surgical intervention.