Reconstruction of ligaments with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. An experimental study in rabbits.

The medial collateral ligaments in the knee joints of 15 rabbits were replaced with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE). The joints were not immobilised postoperatively, and their structure and function were evaluated after 12 months. Range of motion was equal in all groups. Stability of the knee joints and breaking strength of the ligaments were similar in the group in which the ligament had been reconstructed and in the sham operated control group (n = 8). The group in which the ligament had been severed and left to heal by formation of scar tissue (n = 7) had significantly reduced joint stability and the breaking strength of the medial collateral ligament was significantly less. The E-PTFE ligaments were well incorporated into the surrounding tissues. There were no adverse tissue reactions and the articular cartilage looked normal both macroscopically and microscopically. These results indicate that E-PTFE might be a useful substitute for damaged ligaments, at least in smaller joints like metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.