[Value of synthetic (Kennedy-LAD) augmentation in replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament].

In chronically ACL-deficient knees, ACL replacement was performed in 31 cases with an one-third patellar tendon (Brückner-Jones) and in 50 cases with a quadriceps-patellarperiosteum-patellar tendon autograft (Marshall-MacIntosh) augmented with the Kennedy LAD. Anterior laxity measured with the KT 1000 arthrometer revealed a side-to-side difference of less than or equal to 3 mm in 90% (77% without augmentation), a high rate of muscle strength quotient of uninjured to treated knee of about 1 (greater than 1 without augmentation) and early recovery of ability to participate in the same sports as before in 54% of patients (45% without augmentation) demonstrate statistically significant better results of ACL replacement when a synthetically augmented autograft was used.