Anterior cruciate ligament construction using the Gore-tex ligament.

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT CONSTRUCTION USING THE GORE-TEX LIGAMENT From Major B R Singer, RAMC and Group Captain M WWard,RAF Sir, Captain Bowyer and Major Matthews (1) are to be congratulated for reminding us of the serious implications of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries to a soldier's fitness and career. Their short follow-up (mean of 18 months) reflects the problems inherent in reviewing a mobile population of servicemen. A patient who underwent a Gore-tex ligament reconstruction at Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital during the study period was recently admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He had obtained a good post-operative result and was returned to full military activities. Two weeks prior to admission he had reinjured his knee during military training. Examination revealed medial collateral ligament and ACL instability and the Gore-tex ligament was found to be completely ruptured at arthroscopy. This case unfortunately demonstrates the already noted (2,3) deterioration in results of ACL reconstruction with time. The need for follow-up beyond 5 years in order to assess ligament reconstruction is reinforced.