To evaluate subjective satisfaction of patients and clinical results after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using freeze-dried allograft.

From May 1994 to January 1997, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with freeze-dried allograft were performed in 33 patients in ACL deficient knee. Minimum follow-up period is 3 years, and average follow-up is 4.6 years. We analyzed clinical results according to the Lysholm scores, physical examination and KT-2000 knee ligament arthrometer.

The average preoperative Lysholm score was 60 11, and the average postoperative score was 89 6. Anterior drawer tests and Lachmann tests were positive in 24 cases preoperatively and in 11 cases postoperatively. Postoperative instrumented laxity tests with KT-2000 knee ligament arthrometer (MEDMetric, San Diego, CA) were also performed postoperatively, and its average results was 3.7mm 1.3mm on 30lbs. There was no restriction or complaint in regular daily activities. But the postoperative ligament laxity was more prominent than that of using fresh-frozen allograft or autograft

Despite the relatively good outcome of the patient's satisfaction, the use of freeze-dried allograft using the standard technique in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction can cause more laxity than that of fresh-frozen allograft.