After operating on the injured cruciate ligaments, immediate mobilization and protection of the healing ligament are indispensible. However, no approach has yet been shown to safely provide both. Therefore, in 1984 we introduced a new technique: the repaired or reconstructed cruciate ligaments are augmented with a biodegradable material - a doubled-over PDS cord, 1.5 mm in diameter. It allows for immediate and safe mobilization. Because of its appropriate elasticity it does not cause "stress shielding." Postoperatively, the patients are mobilized on a motorized frame for 2 weeks. Subsequently, we have used a limited mobilization cast (LMC). Forty-nine out of 63 patients (78%) have now been reexamined for this follow-up study, using the score from the Hospital for Special Surgery and stress X-rays in the Lachmann, position (30 degrees flexion). The results compare favorably with a prior follow-up study of patients from our hospital without PDS augmentation and without early mobilization. The knees in the present study are more stable and have a better range of motion, particularly when the LMC was used.
