Alloplastic correction of chronic knee ligament instability with polyaethyleneterephthalate.

The results of treatment by alloplastic ligament replacement are generally comparable to those achieved with autologous pedunculated or free tissue transplants with regard to band stability as well as total function. We consider the indication for this not yet universally recognised surgical technique with alloplastic material to lie exclusively in patients with multiple previous knee operations and for whom autologous tissue was not present in adequate quality intraoperatively. Here the usage of the polyester band was a last resort. The long term preservation of function and stability are ultimately the most important factors, but we cannot yet convincingly assess these after only one year's experience of this method. It is possible that the already known problems with only plastic possible corrections of chronic capsule-ligament instability of the knee joint can be reduced by the usage of polyester band.