Follow-up study of Gore-Tex artificial ligament--special emphasis on tunnel osteolysis.

The Gore-Tex anterior cruciate ligament has been implanted in 123 patients at our institutions between 1984 and 1993. The Gore-Tex ligaments were totally ruptured in 26 cases. In the remaining 97 cases, 80 were followed up 5-11 years after operation. Graft loosening occurred in half of the cases, and osteoarthritic change was developed in 62% of the cases. Moreover, tibial and tunnel osteolysis was observed in most of the cases. Judging from these follow-up results, the Gore-Tex ligament should not be used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.