Anterior knee symptoms after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using patellar tendon as a graft

We have reviewed 74 patients, at an average follow-up of nearly 3 years, following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the central third of the patellar tendon to assess the incidence and severity of anterior knee symptoms, not only pain but also other symptoms related to the front of the knee. Sixty-two percent of patients had some degree of pain. Tn addition, there was numbness in 85%, patello-femoral crepitus in 47% and swelling in 26% of patients. Only one patient felt that the front of the knee was normal. Eleven percent felt that these symptoms were a significant problem. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.