[Anterior cruciate ligament-plasty with the Insall iliotibial tract transfer. Long-term results after 5 years].

For the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament we performed the bone block iliotibial tract transfer in 56 patients from May 1984 until December 1987. The results were followed up for 2 to 6 1/2 years (average 53 months). The clinical results showed a positive Lachman test in 20 degrees flexion (3-5 mm) in 50% of the knees. There was no Lachman test ++ or and no sign of pivot shift. At the time of follow-up, the Lysholm-score was very high with 98.67 points. Subjectively, 91.3% of the knees were rated excellent, 4.3% good and 4.3% poor. 93% of the patients were engaged in some kind of sport before their accident, 87% of all patients were able to practice their sport at the same level after the operation. Long-term results after 5 years are consistent with the physiological aspects of this transfer. The immediate fixation of bone allows early motion of the knee and the rehabilitation time is much shorter.