Replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament. Comparison between the endoscopic and mini-open technique in 56 and 100 patients, respectively.

56 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture underwent an endoscopic procedure to replace the torn ligament with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Their mean age was 24 (18-35) years and 45 were men. Follow-up was mean 3 (1-5.5) years. The outcome of the endoscopic technique was compared to that of 100 patients, matched for age and activity level, who were operated on during the same period using the mini-open method. Patients operated on with endoscopic technique had considerably less postoperative pain and regained knee motion faster. Function and stability were similar in the two groups.