Anterior cruciate reconstruction in the chronically unstable knee using an expanded @entity736 ( XXXX ) prosthetic ligament.

@entity1 @entity736 @entity158
The purpose of this study is to review 30 @entity1 with failed, multiply operated knees, or knees with gross instability which were reconstructed using the expanded @entity736 ( @entity736 ) prosthetic ligament as a substitute for the ACL. The results were then compared with our experience with the proplast ligament used in a previous clinical series. This prospective review evaluated the @entity1 preoperatively and at regular intervals during the postoperative period. The average followup was 24 months postoperation. Eighty-three percent of the @entity1 had a satisfactory result, scoring greater than 140 points on a 200 point knee grading scale. Objectively, the anterior instability pattern was improved in 87% of the knees. Subjectively, @entity158 of at least a mild degree persisted in 70% of the @entity1 postoperatively. This @entity158 seemed to correlate with articular cartilage changes documented intraoperatively. Major complications occurred in two @entity1 . In conclusion, the @entity736 prosthetic ligament was an improvement over the proplast ligament in the reconstruction of the multiply operated, unstable knee. The 83% satisfactory rate with the @entity736 was promising compared to a 52% satisfactory rate using the proplast ligament. However, we encourage future long term studies of the @entity736 prosthetic ligament in the reconstruction of the ACL in the chronically unstable knee.
