Long-term results of anterior cruciate reconstruction with the patellar tendon.

Thirty patients who had an anterior cruciate reconstruction with a patellar tendon autograph were reviewed at an average of 7.5 years (range 5-11 years) after operation. In all, 27 patients maintained their good/excellent results based on the Lysholm and Gillquist scoring system compared with the review at 2 years; two patients remained fair and one reconstruction failed at an early stage. There was no apparent deterioration of knee function at 7.5 years when compared with those at 2 years. None of the patients had symptoms related to the patellofemoral joint.