Experimental replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament. A histological and microradiographic study.

In each of four dogs, teno-osseous autogenous grafts were used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament. The transplanted strips first underwent ischemia and cellular death, with necrosis of both bone and tendon. Ingrowth of tissues then occurred rapidly, but complete incorporation of the tendon or the bone did not occur at one year. However, the tunnel-to transplant bone was functional and provided sufficient stability to the knee so that disruption of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament did not occur.