Purpose of the study: Osteoarthritis in anterior cruciate ligament (A.C.L.) deficient knees is reported by numerous authors, especially when conservatively treated. The aim of this study was to analyze at a longterm follow-up the outcome of these knees after surgical repair of an A.C.L. rupture augmented with carbon fibers.
Material and methods: Forty seven A.C.L. ruptures in 26 men and 21 women, whom mean sport level was low, had a surgical suture augmented with carbon fibers. The clinical and radiological results were analyzed at a mean follow-up of 8 years (6.2 to 10.8 years).
Results: At maximum follow-up, 64 per cent of patients had moderate pain in their operated knee and 11 per cent had major pain. The Lysholm score was 86.5. The "ARPEGE" functional cotation showed only 51 per cent excellent and good results. The mean anterior laxity was 12.8 mm. Sixty eight per cent of operated knees had no pivot shift. Eighteen knees (38 per cent) had femorotibial osteoarthritis and 23 (49 per cent) had femoropatellar osteoarthritis. The frequency and the level of osteoarthritis were correlated with the range of residual anterior laxity.
Conclusion: Low sport level patients with A.C.L. deficient knee may have knee osteoarthritis. An effective correction of the anterior laxity, by any form of surgical treatment, seems indicated in these patients in order to prevent this articular degradation.