Abstract

The authors studied the results of a homogeneous group of 60 knees on which were performed intra- and extraarticular ligamentoplasty for chronic anterior laxity. The MacIntosh technique as described by Imbert was used. This consisted of a continuous transplant taken from the extensor apparatus. The patients were operated by the same surgeon but questioned by another. The results were analyzed for stability, pain and resumption of sports (kind and level). Certain parameters were currently found to be unfavorable, such as relatively small transplant diameter, arthrotomy, 3 or more weeks of postoperative plaster immobilization, total discharge, period of 6 or more weeks, lack of extension tolerated until the 16th week, a very slow rate reeducation allowing competition at the prior level only after a year following surgery in particular, do not seem to influence the results. Only 76.6% of the patients had a result considered to be very good or good, and the analysis of average (16.6%) and poor (6.5%) results showed preoperative factors which indicated the prognosis. These included meniscus conservation, age, sports activities, preoperative degenerative lesions, type of accident and the patient's motivation.